retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 2
Half Time
Scotland 1 (McInnes 38) Malta 0

RK - A familiar story Andy - lots of pressure but precious little to show for it.

AG - Yes, Berti and the boys must be wondering why every keeper they face at the moment plays a blinder.

RK - Malta with a pretty defensive mindset.

AG - No big surprise there but the game should be dead and buried by now. Scotland are out of the blocks quickly and Paterson rampages up the left, hits it in hard and low and Dargo forces an excellent save from Justin Haber. Here’s Mark Kerr now picking up a loose ball, he checks for movement in the box and spots Anthony free. Lovely ball in, a good shot from Anthony and another good save. Ferguson takes the corner, Kerr rises well and I don’t think that Haber knew much about that one, he just threw up a hand instinctively but made the block. It’s Neilson now, looking for Dargo with the cross, good header and another good save. We’re having lots of joy out wide and now it’s Paterson with the cross, Dargo with the shot and Haber with the save. Ferguson picks the ball up just outside the area, that’s a fierce strike and yet another good stop by Haber. A rare sally upfield by Malta but Mifsud puts the shot well wide. Scotland back in possession and another cross in from Paterson, Parker with the header but the keeper’s there again. Here’s the goal now. This is a good direct run by Parker and he’s somewhat crudely chopped down - I thought that deserved a booking there. Derek McInnes places the ball for the free kick and that’s an excellent strike and Haber is beaten at last. This was almost a second as Dargo has moved to the wing and Neilson switches inside. Dargo with the cross, great header from Neilson and off the bar. Another good ball in from Neilson, Dargo on the volley but that’s really well held by Haber. A bit of a fright here right on the stroke of half time. Ferguson is penalised for the tackle and Agius with a good effort that just shaves the crossbar.

RK - More of the same required in the second half?

AG - I think so - no reason to change anything as far as I can see.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 2
Full Time
Scotland 4 (McInnes 38, Dargo 59, 61, Parker 80) Malta 0

RK - Well the goals came at last Andy.

AG - It took a while but it was worth the wait. Craig Dargo denied a hat trick by the woodwork and Kiegan Parker getting in on the act too.

RK - It was a quiet opening to the half.

AG - Yes, not a lot happening for the first 15 minutes or so. But when the second goal came it was an absolute peach. Neilson starts it off with a nice ball to Kerr, he turns neatly and finds Anthony who plays it first time to Ferguson, great ball in from the captain and there’s Dargo to head home. Then just two minute later another great goal. Dargo finds Ferguson who picks out Anthony. Nice turn, shrugs off the challenge and powers into the area. He could have had a go himself here but Dargo has continued his run and Anthony squares it for a simple finish by Dargo. Here’s the last goal now. Parker picks up the ball, plays a delightful one-two with Anthony and he’s clean through and what a good finish. Right at the end of the game now and Dargo, full of confidence, turns the defender beautifully, smashes the ball in and so unlucky to see it come back off the post.

RK - Now I believe that Claire Tomlinson is with Berti in Glasgow.


CT - Well done Berti - the fans wanted some goals and you’ve delivered.

BW - Danke Claire, I am very happy wiz ze result and ze points, zat is ze most important zing.

CT - A good performance from Craig Dargo.

BW - A good performance from all of ze boys. Ve are a team you know und ve play as a team.

CT - Congratulations again on the win Berti.


RK - Let’s just check that stats.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Malta21 Shots on Goal 216 On Target 05 Off Target 24 Corners 19 Free Kicks 62 Offsides 70 Yellow Cards 00 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Your choice for Man of the Match Andy?

AG - Robbie Neilson and Kiegan Parker both played very well but Craig Dargo was outstanding and he gets my vote.

RK - And finally a check on the other group games.

AG - Well Croatia were held 2-2 by Bosnia in Zagreb and that could be a very significant result at the end of the campaign. In fact it took a late equaliser to give the home team the draw. Russia beat Moldova 3-0 in Moscow so they top the group with Scotland in second and Croatia third.

RK - Scotland’s next game is in a month’s time in Moscow - that will be a crucial game for them.

AG - Yes, if they can come back with a point they well have done really well I think.

RK - OK, well thanks once again to Andy for his expert analysis and we’ll hope to see you all again in early October for the big game in Moscow.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday October 9, 2004
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good afternoon and welcome to Sky Sports coverage of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Russia in Moscow. As always, I am joined by Andy Gray who will be providing his usual incisive analysis. But before we look at the main event, what about last night’s Under-21 encounter Andy?

AG - Well it was a somewhat disappointing 2-1 defeat I’m afraid. A good first half performance by keeper Tony Fionda looked like keeping the match scoreless at the break but Russia scored deep in stoppage time to go in 1-0 ahead. Man City’s Kevin Hughes scored the equaliser within minutes of his introduction in the second half but with 20 minutes remaining Russia scored what proved to be the winning goal.

RK - So the seniors will be looking to reverse that result today.

AG - They certainly will, but I have to say that a draw would be perfectly acceptable. Both teams have won their opening two matches in the group with Russia in first place on goal difference.

RK - What’s the team news Andy.

AG - Well both Steven Craig and Colin Cameron have been withdrawn because of recent injuries so Allan Johnston is recalled to the squad after his move from Middlesbrough to Norwich and Everton’s Steven Hampshire also comes back into the reckoning. Scott Walker is fit again and starts in defence and Michael Stewart is back from suspension so Derek McInnes drops to the bench.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Steven Hampshire Craig Dargo Kiegan Parker Barry Ferguson (C) Mark KerrJim Paterson Michael Stewart Robbie Neilson Lee Wilkie Scott Walker Neill SullivanSubstitutesJamie LangfieldRobert MalcolmDerek McInnesDarren FletcherStephen PearsonCharlie MillerStevie Nicholas</pre>

RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll take a short break and then join our commentary team in Moscow. See you at half time.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 3
Half Time
Russia 1 (Denis 32) Scotland 1 (Parker 10)

RK - So all square at half time but Kiegan Parker got the Scots off to a great start.

AG - He certainly did. It was the first meaningful attack by either side. Neilson with the throw in, Kerr sends the ball into that area and a good header from Parker.

RK - But the equaliser was a bit special?

AG - Great solo effort from Denis. First he drifts past Michael Stewart, then a neat piece of footwork to beat Kerr. Stewart gets back to make another challenge but Denis keeps going before unleashing a terrific shot past Sullivan.

RK - But Parker almost got a second just a couple of minutes later.

AG - Nice set up play by Kerr and Dargo and a great volley from Parker that smacks against the post with Nigmatullin helpless.

RK - And then a good chance for Hampshire.

AG - Yes, a nice bit of control from Paterson, he sends in a long diagonal cross and a good header from Hampshire that’s well saved.

RK - Scotland having the better of the first half then.

AG - They have, and I’m sure that Berti will want them to keep playing as they are in the second period.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 3
Full Time
Russia 2 (Denis 32, Demenko 56) Scotland 2 (Parker 10, 68)

RK - A much livelier second half then Andy.

AG - A lot more action indeed. Here we are just after the restart and Barry Ferguson spots Nigmatullin slightly off his line and tries the chip but the keeper back pedals well to make the save. A chance here for Craig Dargo as Kerr puts in a low cross but his shot goes wide. Russia on the attack now as Yanovskiy gets past Ferguson but his shot also goes wide. Scotland back on the attack now as Kerr squares it for Parker and that’s a good stop by the Russian keeper. Here’s the Russian goal now. It’s Demenko on the ball and once again the ball carrier is allowed to run a long way unchallenged. That’s a great strike and Sullivan has no chance. But Scotland are straight back on the attack and Wilkie climbs well to get his head to Ferguson’s cross but the keeper makes another good save. Now here’s the equaliser. Walker plays it out neatly from the back, finds Kerr, he plays it on to Ferguson who plays a lovely ball into the area and it’s Parker with the header to square the game.

RK - No more goals after that but both teams had chances.

AG - Parker close to his hat trick here as Dargo squares the ball to him but Nigmatullin makes the save again. A nice move from Russia here as Denis feeds Bezrodny but his low shot is just too wide. There’s a let off here as Khokhlov sends in a glorious cross and Demenko sees his header come back off the bar. It’s a frantic last couple of minutes here as Bestchastnykh makes room for a shot but his effort flies wide. The same player again now sending in a good cross that breaks to Khokhlov who shoots low and hard only to see his effort hit the woodwork.

RK - I think that we can go over to Moscow where Geoff Shreeves is waiting to talk to Berti Wogts.


GS - Was a draw a good result for you tonight Berti?

BW - Ja, I zink zat a draw was a fine result. It vas most important not to lose und ve haff clearly done zat.

GS - So still unbeaten in the group and a home game against Bosnia in a few days. How do you see that game.

BW - Very simple, ve must vin zat game to keep our challenge moving forward, und I am very certain zat we vill.

GS - Well we wish you well Berti and thanks for talking to us.


RK - A quick look at the match statistics then.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Russia Scotland7 Shots on Goal 82 On Target 65 Off Target 20 Corners 28 Free Kicks 1513 Offsides 50 Yellow Cards 00 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Your choice for Man of the Match Andy?

AG - Barry Ferguson and Mark Kerr were excellent in midfield but I’m going with two-goal hero Kiegan Parker.

RK - And finally a check on the other group games.

AG - Bosnia had a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Malta and Croatia came back from Moldova with a comprehensive 6-0 victory. That means that Croatia, Russia and Scotland now all have 7 points from 3 games but the Croats top the group on goal difference.

RK - Scotland’s next game is in Glasgow against Bosnia on Wednesday and on the same evening there is a big game as Russia travel to Croatia.

AG - Well we have to beat Bosnia, that’s for sure. And it would be great if the match in Croatia ended as a draw.

RK - Well thanks once again Andy for your analysis and we’ll see you all again in a few days for Bosnia’s visit to Hampden Park.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Wednesday October 13, 2004
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good evening and welcome to Sky Sports coverage of tonight’s encounter between Scotland and Bosnia at Hampden Park. But before we have a look at this game, what about last night’s Under-21 match Andy?

AG - Well the youngsters pretty much dominated the game and they went into the break 3-0 ahead thanks to goals from John Slaven of Rangers, Celtic’s Mark Fotheringham and Scott Johnston of Coventry. With Partick Thistle’s Andrew Duffy adding a 4th in the second half they had a very comfortable win.

RK - That’s the kind of scoreline that the seniors would like tonight. I’m sure.

AG - I’ll bet they would.

RK - What’s the team news for this afternoon Andy?

AG - Berti is fielding an unchanged side after the draw in Moscow although Marc Anthony and Brian McAllister replace Stevie Nicholas and Robert Malcolm on the bench.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Steven Hampshire Craig Dargo Kiegan Parker Barry Ferguson (C) Mark KerrJim Paterson Michael Stewart Robbie Neilson Lee Wilkie Scott Walker Neill SullivanSubstitutesJamie LangfieldBrian McAllisterDerek McInnesDarren FletcherStephen PearsonCharlie MillerMarc Anthony</pre>

RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll take a short break and then join our commentary team at Hampden Park. See you at half time.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 4
Half Time
Scotland 0 Bosnia 0

RK - Not the most eventful 45 minutes Andy?

AG - You can say that again Richard. Very few chances for Scotland and none at all for the visitors. Parker had a half-chance early on when he got his head to a Paterson cross but he couldn’t direct his header on target. The next chance of note didn’t come until nearly half time - Mark Kerr this time heading wide from a Nielson cross.

RK - A rather flat performance by the Scots though.

AG - Yes, there’s just no creative spark at present. The Bosnians are defending well and we need to show a bit of imagination to break them down.

RK - Well let’s hope that they can find a breakthrough. We’ll go back to Hampden after the break and Andy and I will be back at full time.

retired_amyslack

World Cup 2006 Qualifying Game 4
Full Time
Scotland 1 (Hampshire 90) Bosnia 0

RK - Well they left that late Andy.

AG - Very late Richard, very late indeed.

RK - But a more enterprising second half from Scotland.

AG - Yes it was much better, although Bosnia did create the first chance as Barbarez got his head to a cross from Topic but headed it well over the bar. But just after that Parker was denied a great goal. It’s a positive forward run and he really gets hold of this one and that’s a brilliant save by Piplica. A chance for Kerr now as Nielson and Dargo combine to set him free but he sends his shot wide. It’s Ferguson now with a nice ball in for Hampshire, good header and another good save. Bosnia came close with this free kick conceded by Stewart but Barbarez sends it just wide. Now this is a great save by Neil Sullivan as Topic really connects well with the volley. Ten minutes to go and Berti shuffles the pack. Stephen Pearson comes on for Kerr and Michael Stewart is withdrawn and Darren Fletcher is brought on. Parker is pushed up to make a third striker and Fletcher takes his place behind the front players - Berti obviously desperate for full points here. There’s an intense period of Scottish pressure in the last few minutes and Parker has a good chance here but he just can’t keep his shot on target. And then with seconds remaining in stoppage time we get the breakthrough. Ferguson picks out Fletcher on the left and he sends in a great cross. Hampshire makes a good header but Piplica parries. Hampshire shows quick thinking here though and gets to the ball first to stab it home.

RK - A last-gasp winner and another 3 points. OK, we can now go to Glasgow where Claire Tomlinson is waiting with Berti Wogts.


CT - Well that was a close call Berti, but a win in the end.

BW - Ja Claire, very close indeed. But as you say, anozer three points and zat iz all zat matters in ze end, Ja?

CT - Were you concerned by the fairly lacklustre first half?

BW - Not at all. Bosnia came to defend and zey did zat very well. But we looked goos in ze second half and I zink zat ve really deserved ze win.

CT - Congratulations again Bert and thanls for talking to us.


RK - Let’s take our usual look at the match statistics.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Bosnia10 Shots on Goal 46 On Target 14 Off Target 32 Corners 14 Free Kicks 81 Offsides 30 Yellow Cards 00 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Who would be your choice for Man of the Match Andy?

AG - Jim Paterson had another fine game at wingback but I’m going with Steven Hampshire - he worked hard all game and always looked threatening.

RK - And finally a check on the other group games.

AG - Croatia were beaten 2-0 at home by Russia and that will make a big dent in their qualification hopes. Malta had a very rare win, defeating Moldova 2-1 in Valetta. So this is how the table looks now.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Russia 4 1 1 0 5 2 2 0 0 5 1 10 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Scotland 4 2 0 0 5 0 1 1 0 3 2 10 3rd Croatia 4 0 1 1 2 4 2 0 0 12 1 7 4th Bosnia 4 1 0 1 4 3 0 1 1 2 3 4 5th Malta 4 1 0 1 3 7 0 0 2 0 7 3 6th Moldova 4 0 0 2 0 7 0 0 2 1 5 0</pre>


RK - Scotland’s next qualifying game isn’t until March when Croatia visit Glasgow. This is a key match for both teams Andy.

AG - It surely is - a win here would give Berti’s boys a huge boost.

RK - Well thanks once again Andy. We bid you farewell for the moment but don’t forget that we’ll be covering all of Scotland’s remaining matches.

retired_michman524

KUTGW :thup:

Great story!

retired_amyslack

Thanks Jambo, glad you're enjoying it.

Sky Sports
Saturday March 26, 2005
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good afternoon and welcome to the live and exclusive Sky Sports coverage of Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park against Croatia. Andy, it’s been quite some time since Scotland’s last competitive match but they did play a friendly against Austria in November of last year.

AG - They did indeed. The Under-21 side had an excellent 3-0 win with Coventry midfielder Scott Johnston scoring twice and substitute Kevin Hughes of Manchester City added the third. The seniors however, were on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline that frankly defied belief. Austria scored with their only shot on target whereas Scotland bombarded Alex Maninger’s goal but were unable to find a way past an inspired keeper.

RK - The Under-21’s had another great victory last night.

AG - Yes, a 5-0 win that was all the more impressive considering that young Rangers striker John Slaven was dismissed after 18 minutes for a nasty butting incident. The goals came from Mark Fotheringham (Celtic), Ross O’Donoghue (Aberdeen), Scott Johnston (Coventry), Kevin Hughes (Man City) and Jamie McCunnie (Dundee United).

RK - A result like that for the seniors would be very welcome.

AG - It would indeed. But Scotland are missing their key midfield partnership of captain Barry Ferguson and Mark Kerr, both injured. Mark McCulloch of Partick Thistle has been called up to replace Ferguson as he has a torn groin muscle and will be out for at least 2 months but it is hoped that Kerr may be fit enough for the match against Moldova on Wednesday. Maurice Ross of Dunfermline has been called up as has Steven Cosgrove of Man City. Craig Dargo is ruled out having failed a late fitness test and his place is taken by Celtic’s Simon Lynch.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Steven Hampshire Simon Lynch Kiegan Parker Mark McCulloch Stephen CosgroveJim Paterson Michael Stewart Robbie Neilson Lee Wilkie Maurice Ross Neill Sullivan (C)SubstitutesJamie LangfieldBrian McAllisterDerek McInnesDarren FletcherStephen HughesCharlie MillerMarc Anthony</pre>


RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll take a short break and then join our commentary team at Hampden Park. See you at half time.