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The year 2004 and Berti Vogts had just been kicked out the door by the SFA after riping the heart and soul out of the Scotland National Team and the country at large.
Change was needed and the fans finally got what they wanted however to the shock of many it wasn't fan's favourite Gordan Strachen that took the hotseat but a young upstart by the name of Gary Toner!. Many people were hugely critical of the appointment and a certain member of the press we shall call "Queersy" ran a massive campaign against Toner that would make Bush and Kerry seem like bosom buddies.
Toner wasn't to be disheartened and with his cry that "Scotland will make the World Cup" we can only look on and hope and since Scotland begin their campaign with a tie against Slovenia at Hampden they'll need all the hope they can get.
Cheers PM7
First piece of business i had to sort out the backroom staff I managed to talk Tommy Burns into staying but only if he could take the u19 side which i agreed too. So I was now on the look out for a sidekick to the main team and this was something that was harder than i thought but in the end i managed to convince Steve Clarke to join my staff he will now work as Assistant to both Scotland and Chelsea.
With just under 2 months till our first qualifying game against Slovenia I decided that I had to get the squad together for a friendly atleast before going in at the deep end, however getting clubs to release players is another story. As you would guess the clubs got there way and i didn't manage to sort a friendly out before the Slovenia game however the clubs did allow me to take the players for a week aslong as i didn't take in any games.
I in the end agreed we wouldn't take part in any games wheter in training or a friendly instead it gave me time to try and get my points across of what i expect and work on little things to enhance communication and team spirit would this work well who knows but we had fun.
I had taken a slating in the press and i was determined to take all 3 points out of the game.
Scotland Squad Announced Suprises in Toner's first selection as national boss
Stephen Hughes is amongst 6 newcomers to the national squad as Toner looked ahead to the clash with Slovenia. Sean Dillion, Alan Combe, Barry Robson, Niel Jancyzk and Kevin Thompson are the other newcomers who will all be looking for their first cap. Toner's first squad also see's a long awaited return to the international scene for deuce capped
Dougie Freedman.
Goalkeepers
Alan Combe (Kilmarnock)
Paul Gallacher (Norwich)
David Marshall (Celtic)
Defenders
Sean Dillon (Kilmarnock)
Ian Murray (Hibs)
Steven Pressley (Hearts)
Andy Webster(Hearts)
Jackie McNamara (Celtic)
Gary Naysmith (Everton)
Midfielders
Barry Ferguson (Blackburn)
Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)
Barry Robson (Dundee Utd)
Neil Janczyk (Hearts)
Neil McCann (Southampton)
Nigel Quashie (Portsmouth)
Kevin Thompson (Hibs)
Stephen Hughes (Rangers)
Colin Cameron (Wolves)
Forwards
James McFadden (Everton)
Steven Thompson (Rangers)
Paul Dickov (Blackburn)
Dougie Freedman (Crystal Palace)
Andy Gray (Sheff Utd)
Due to injuries and a horrible oversight the squad has been left without a few key players but onwards we shall go.
I actually didn't notice McCann till i confirmed the squad, don't worry he won't be back
Triple Injury Blow for Scotland
Injuries forced youngster Neil Janczyk and Dougie Freedman out of the Scotland squad to face Slovenia which is a blow to manager Toner's plans as Neil and Dougie would have faced the Slovenians, Old Man Alex Rae and Stephen Crawford have been called into squad to replace them. Also doubtful to face the Slovenians is Celtic's Keeper David Marshall after a groin strain in training. Toner remains confident that the youngster will make it.
8th September 2004 - Hampden Park - Scotland v Slovenia Scotland line up ;Marshall. Naysmith, Murray, Pressley, McNamara, Robson, Ferguson, Fletcher, Cameron, McFadden, Thompson.
The first 45 minutes went pretty much to plan, we controlled the game and created a good few chances but the Slovenians had luck on their side as we rattled the crossbar via James McFadden and hit the post with a Cameron piledriver.
The 2nd have pretty much mirrored the first, for half n hour we controlled play but lady luck wasn't on our side until some great wing play from young Barry Robson got him into the box to slip a pass to subsitute Alex Rae who gave us the break through on the 77th minute. Slovenia pressed on and caused a few panicky moments especially when McNamara played a loose passback to Marshall only for the young keeper to clear it straight to a Slovenian however we survived thanks to a bad shot. Deep into injury time and once again Man of the Match Barry Robson showed some trickery down the wing but this time he whipped in a inch perfect cross for Steven Thompson to get on the end of to make it 2-0.
FT - Scotland 2 - 0 Slovenia
3 points on the board and a perfect start to the campaign, some good performances from debutants and experinced internationalists was at times a joy to behold however we can't afford to look too much into it and we'll have to at times simplify our play against the Norweigens next month.
Well it's been a month since the Slovenia game and it appears the hacks are getting over the early shock of my appointment well except maybe my old friend Queersy who seems to have branded our style of football 'reckless and cumbersome' and we 'will be sure to get caught out when they face better opposiston'. This i have hanging in the changing room to hopefully motivate the players although the thought of pulling on the dark blue of Scotland should be motivation enough.
With 3 points on the board after the game against Slovenia it was a good start and i will be looking to take the maximum 6 points in the next two games as i'm sure the nation expects or atleast hopes.
Scotland Squad Announced Youngsters to the fore as Scotland prepare for Norway and Moldova
Perhaps the most suprising inclusions in the squad is the selection of Charlie Miller but the Brann midfielder who has slimed down in recent months has been on form and that's not gone unnoticed by the Scotland Management. Other people have been concerned with the amount of youngsters in the side, other have simply maintened the "if you're good enough you're old enough" mantle. For the hopes of a nation and the manager who has shown faith in picking them lets hope this old adage is right.
Goalkeepers
Alan Combe (Kilmarnock)
Paul Gallacher (Norwich)
David Marshall (Celtic)
Defenders
Sean Dillon (Kilmarnock)
Ian Murray (Hibs)
Steven Pressley (Hearts)
Andy Webster(Hearts)
Jackie McNamara (Celtic)
Gary Naysmith (Everton)
Midfielders
Barry Ferguson (Blackburn)
Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)
Barry Robson (Dundee Utd)
Nigel Quashie (Portsmouth)
Stephen Hughes (Rangers)
Colin Cameron (Wolves)
Charlie Miller (Brann)
Richard Hughes (Portsmouth)
Alex Rae (Rangers)
Gareth Williams (Leicester)
Forwards
James McFadden (Everton)
Steven Thompson (Rangers)
Paul Dickov (Blackburn)
Andy Gray (Sheff Utd)
Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock)
Derek Riordan (Hibs)
Scott Brown (Hibs)
Mackay and Caldwell drafed in
West Ham's Malky Mackay and Hibs fullback Gary Caldwell have been drafted into the Scotland squad after late drop outs due to injury of Hearts' Steven Pressley and Celtics Jackie McNamara. With these two key players out of the double header Scotland's chances have been hit massively, Toner rather suprsingly seemed to be pretty confident despite the duo being out.
9th October 2004 - Hampden Park - Scotland v Norway Scotland line up ;Marshall. Naysmith, Murray, Webster, Caldwell, Robson, Ferguson, Fletcher, Cameron, McFadden, Riordan.
We couldn't have wished for a better start to the match with only 3 minutes gone Fletcher found Ferguson on the edge of the box and the Blackburn man fired home the volley to put us 1-0 up. Moments later we could have had a 2nd but close range header found it's way on the hand of a in form Norway keeper. Norway weren't by no means out of the clash and if it was for some last minute tackles or good goalkeeping Daniel Braathen could have had a hattrick.
James McFadden just about wrapped things up from the spot 10 minutes into the 2nd half when Bergdolmo was adjuged to have fouled Barry Robson in the box, McFadden cooly struck it to make it 2-0. You could be forgiven to think the game was over but as Norway tried to apply pressure and get back into the game we managed to hit them on the counter when a lovely diagonal pass from Barry Robson found Derek Riordan in space the Hibs youngster duly took the chance and slipped it past a helpless Espen Johnson 3 - 0. The game was over the fans were happy.
FT - Scotland 3 - 0 Norway
On a sidenote Barry Robson seems to be relishing international football as he was voted m.o.m for the 2nd match running. The young winger has flourished at this level and with his trickier and passing range has been intstrumental in the last two matches long may it continue.
Scotland rocked by duo withdrawel
Scotland manager Gary Toner today must be cursing his luck when it was revealed that Keeper David Marshall and midfielder Colin Cameron withdrew from the squad to face Moldova after picking up minor injuries in the Norway match. With many seeing the Moldova match as paramount to their World Cup chances Toner wasted no time in adding experinced 'Keeper Rab Douglas to the squad aswell as Steven Whittiker who adds to a large Hibs contingent.
13th October 2004 - Republician, Chisinau - Moldova v Scotland Scotland line up ;Gallacher. Naysmith, Murray, Webster, Caldwell, Robson, Ferguson, Miller, Brown, McFadden, Riordan.
Scott Brown couldn't have wished for a better debut when after just 4 minutes he jinked past two Moldovians and slotted home the opening goal past a helpless keeper to make it 1-0, The Moldovians not to be out done were back in the game just minutes later when a miscommunication between Gallacher and Caldwell allowed Calincov in to equalise 1-1.
Moldova controlled pretty much most of the play for the next 10 minutes as a shocked Scotland team looked for a way back in and on 24 minutes the got it from the spot after Patula was sent packing for hacking down Derek Riordan. Gary Caldwell stepped up to make it 2-1. Scott Brown who by now was having a brilliant game was instrumental in the 3rd goal as he played a pinpoint pass to allow Barry Ferguson to smash it home 3-1.
The 2nd half was pretty much non exsistent until just after an hour Man of the Match James McFadden headed home a Barry Robson cross to wrap things up.
FT - Moldova 1 - 4 Scotland
3 matches gone and 9 points on the board, a pretty convincing start to the campaign as Scotland finish the year on a high. With no more games till March when Scotland travel to take on Italy in what could be a pivitol game i'm sure manager Toner will be looking at getting the squad together before then.
Scotland stars rested as Toner looks to the future
They were no real suprises when Scotland opted to leave out regulars such as Barry Ferguson, James McFadden and Gary Naysmith amongst others for the double header of friendlies against Saudia Arabia and Tunisia With Toner taking the opportunity to experiment with other players.
With the squad boasting a large number of youngsters, Toner certainly seems to be looking to the future in order that they might gain invaluable international experience.
Scotland Squad
Goalkeepers
Alan Combe (Kilmarnock)
Paul Gallacher (Norwich)
Ian Turner (Everton)
Defenders
Peter Canero (Leicester)
Ian Murray (Hibs)
Russell Anderson (Aberdeen)
Phil McGuire (Aberdeen)
Zander Diamond (Aberdeen)
Kevin McNaughton (Aberdeen)
Gary Caldwell (Hibs)
Steven Hammell (Sheff Wed.)
Steve McMillen (Wigan)
Midfielders
Barry Robson (Dundee Utd)
Stephen Hughes (Rangers)
Gareth Williams (Leicester)
Mark Wilson (Dundee Utd)
Neil Janczyk (Hearts)
Scott Severin (Aberdeen)
Chris Burke (Rangers)
Stephen Pearson (Celtic)
Joe Hamill (Hearts)
Forwards
Paul Gallagher (Blackburn)
Steven Thompson (Rangers)
Derek Riordan (Hibs)
Garry O'Connor (Hibs)
Dougie Freedman (Crystal Palace)
Scotland trio withdraw
Scotland Players Gareth Williams, Derek Riordan and Scott Severin today withdrew from the squad to face Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, In form
Hearts forward Dennis Wyness, Hibs Youngster Steven whittiker and veteren Colin Cameron were drafted in as replacements. Toner will be
hoping they are no more withdrawels.
13th November 2004 - Hampden Park - Scotland v Saudi Arabia Scotland line up ;Gallacher. Hammell, McGuire, Diamond, Caldwell, Robson, Janczyk, Hughes, Burke, Gallagher, Thompson.
The first half was a non event up until the half hour mark when Paul Gallagher from 30 yards out tried an audacious lob which due to bad goalkeeping worked and put Scotland ahead 1-0.
Young Chris Burke perhaps took a jolt of confidence from seeing the dodgy goalkeeping when minutes later he cut in from the wing past the Saudi fullback and unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
2nd half we made quite a few changes and it seemd to have an effect on the game when only moments after the restart substitutes Peter Canero and Garry O'Connor combined to set Barry Robson free in the box with the simple job of slotting it home 3-0.
Saudi Arabia hit back late in the game when they caught the defense napping and struck a shot past a helpless Paul Gallacher. The Scoring wasn't finished however until late on in injury time when Stephen Pearson managed to find Dougie Freedman free in the box and with all the time in the world the veteran forward wrapped up proceedings 4-1.
FT - Scotland 4 - 1 Saudi Arabia
17th November 2004 - Hampden Park - Scotland v Tunisia Scotland line up ;Combe, Hammell, Anderson, Diamond, Caldwell, Hamill, Janczyk, Miller, Pearson, Wyness, O'Connor.
With only 3 minutes on the clock this game got of to a great start when Joe Hamill's freekick found Garry O'Connor at the backpost for the Hibs youngster to power the header home 1-0. Tunisia pressed and pressed and got there reward just before halftime with Zander Diamond off the field recieving treatmant the Tunisians took full advantage and broke with speed to fire a shot home to beat keeper Combe at his near post 1-1.
With a few changes made at half time we took control of the game but it wasn't till the 64th minute when took the lead when Garry O'Connor pounced as the Tunisian keeper made a hash of a passback 2-1.
Tunisia pressed the game in order to get the equaliser and after some great saves from substitute keeper Iain Turner to keep us ahead in the match a lovely ball from Man of the match Stephen Pearson found Stephen Hughes one on one with the goalkeeper, the youngster kept his nerve and put the result beyond doubt 3-1.
To Hell and Back - a Scottish Tale 
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