retired_amyslack

Sky Sports News
Wednesday October 9, 2002

And news of the qualifying matches played tonight in Scotland’s qualifying group. The Scots themselves were not in action but two matches were played. Albania held Sweden to a 0-0 draw in Tirana and the Ukraine held on for a 3-2 win against Israel in Tel-Aviv. Those results leave the group looking like this.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Sweden 4 2 0 0 5 0 0 1 1 1 2 7 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Scotland 3 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 3 2 6 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Ukraine 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 4 6 4th Albania 3 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0 2 1 4 5th Israel 3 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 1 0 3 0</pre>

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday March 22, 2003
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good afternoon and welcome as Scotland’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 continues. This afternoon Israel visit Hampden Park and in 4 days time Albania will be here. Two crucial games for Scotland if they are to keep their momentum going Andy.

AG - Very much so Richard. I feel that we have to take maximum points from these two games otherwise we can probably forget about going to Portugal.

RK - So what do we know about Israel Andy?

AG - Well they’re bottom of the group having lost all three of their matches so far. I would think that the only familiar name to us in the UK would be Eyal Berkovic the Manchester City player.

RK - Now Scotland haven’t seen much action over the winter but they did have a friendly in Brussels back in November.

AG - Yes. The Under 21’s lost their first match since Berti has been in charge with a 2-1 defeat. Peter Canero opened the scoring but Belgium hit back with two goals to get the win in a tightly fought contest.

RK - The seniors did slightly better though.

AG - A 1-1 draw thanks to a Steven Hampshire equaliser late on after Belgium took an early lead. The Belgians had a man sent off but Scotland couldn’t take full advantage of the extra man. To be honest it really wasn’t the best of performances, but one positive was an excellent display from Robbie Neilson at right wingback. The 22-year-old can’t get a regular start at Southampton but he looked like a pretty decent player on this performance.

RK - Of course the Under 21’s were in action last night Andy and they had a very good win.

AG - Yes, they beat their Israeli counterparts 3-1. Israel took an early lead and held it until just after half time. Scotland really did pound them though and the win was no more than they deserved. Ross O’Donoghue scored twice in four minutes and captain Kevin McNaughton added a third. Some of the stalwarts of last season are now over the age limit but the newer players did very well.

RK - On to tonight’s match then Andy. What does the Scotland line up look like?

AG - The biggest surprise is the inclusion of 20-year-old midfielder Mark Kerr, promoted from the Under 21 side. He has been in outstanding form for Hibs this season and Berti’s now giving him a chance at senior level. The other surprise is that Lee Peacock is starting up front. He’s been banging in goals for fun at Bristol City and Berti gave him a run out in the B team last year. But he’s totally unproven at this level and it’s hard to tell how he’ll adjust. Berti has also included Wigan winger Gary Teale on the bench and he might just get a run out if the game is going well. McAllister and Smith play in the heart of defence. This is a problem position for Berti and he doesn’t yet seem to have found a central defensive paring that he likes. Robbie Nielson keeps his place at left wingback after impressing against Belgium.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Lee Peacock Craig Dargo Don Hutchison Barry Ferguson Mark KerrRobbie Nielson Christian Dailly Jackie McNamara Barry Smith Brian McAllister Neil Sullivan</pre>


RK - Thanks Andy. Now over to our commentary team at Hampden and Andy and I will be back at half time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 4
Half Time
Scotland 1 (Dargo 17) Israel 0

RK - Not a bad first half for Scotland Andy but just the one goal to show for it.

AG - Well, Israel have come here to defend. They’re getting men behind the ball, defending deep and making it very difficult to break them down. Scotland have had plenty of possession but haven’t shown the inventiveness required. The goal was a pure piece of opportunism by Craig Dargo. See here as this move breaks down, the youngster is quick to pick up the loose ball and he unleashes an unstoppable shot - the keeper had no chance. But there were very few clear chances. Here’s one of the few that we had. As the free kick from Kerr comes in Peacock gets up well and Christian Dailly of all people chances his luck with a good volley and it needed the save. Then just before half time, a lovely bit of interplay between Dargo and Kerr gives Peacock the header but that’s well dealt with by the keeper.

RK - Do you see any changes being made at half time?

AG - I’d like to see Mark Kerr getting the ball a bit more as he looks like he could be capable of showing the flair required to break down this stubborn defence.

RK - Well thanks Andy. And we’ll go back to Hampden immediately after the break.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 4
Full Time
Scotland 3 (Dargo 17, Kerr 68, Teale 79) Israel 0

RK - A much better performance from the Scots in the second half then Andy.

AG - It was like night and day Richard. Much more positive and effective. Berti must have had a bit of a go at half time because they came out fired up and took the game to the Israelis straight away.

RK - Berti made one change at half time with Dominic Matteo coming on for Brian McAllister.

AG - Well, even though Israel hardly threatened Brian just never looked comfortable out there, although Barry Smith had a solid game.

RK - And as you suggested Andy, Mark Kerr proved to be very influential.

AG - He did indeed. But let’s take a look at the key moments again. With Israel offering virtually no threat as an attacking force, Christian Dailly had some freedom to venture forward. This is a good run here. He looks up, doesn’t see anyone available in the box so he has a dip himself and the keeper has to get down sharply. It’s Dailly again, slips it to Neilson who sends in a good cross. Mark Kerr with a wonderful volley that smashes off the bar. Just look at that technique - he controlled it so well. Now Jackie McNamara having a shot but the keeper not unduly worried. Here it’s Dailly again bringing the ball forward. But the problem is Richard that the marking is so tight that he can’t find a free man so he has to try a shot from distance again. It’s a fair effort mind you and the keeper really had to stretch for that one. Now here’s the goal coming up. Barry Ferguson had a fairly quiet night but he does well here. That’s a determined run and he picks out McNamara really well. That’s a peach of a cross and look who’s running in - Mark Kerr. Great header - keeper doesn’t move. A couple of minutes later and Kerr lines up the free kick. That’s really well placed but just not enough power to beet the keeper.

RK - Gary Teale made a bit of an impact when he came on Andy.

AG - He sure did. He replaced Ferguson and it didn’t take him long to make a name for himself. This was probably the best move of the match actually. That’s a strong header out of defence by Matteo and Peacock latches on to it very quickly. He beats his man beautifully and that’s a perfectly weighted ball to Hutchison. Great ball in and there’s Teale on the end of it with a well placed header for a goal on his debut. And right at the end Mark Kerr almost made it four but the keeper denied him again.

RK - So all in all a very solid performance, some excellent debuts and three points in the bag. Now I believe that we can join Claire Tomlinson at Hampden talking to Berti Wogts.


CT - Berti, congratulations. A good win and three more points in the bank.

BW - Danke Claire. Ve had to vork very hard for ze points but I zink zat in ze second half we were very good indeed.

CT - Some encouraging performances from the new players too.

BW - It is of course a team game you know, und I don’t vant to single out individuals. It vas a good team display and zat is vat is important.

CT - Thanks again for talking with us Berti. Is that a pair of tartan socks you’re wearing Berti.

BW - Ja indeed. Zey are quite ze fashion statement, nein?


RK - So a quick look at the final stats then.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Israel13 Shots on Goal 011 On Target 02 Off Target 04 Corners 03 Free Kicks 20 Offsides 00 Yellow Cards 10 Red Cards 0</pre>


RK - Your choice for Man of the Match Andy?

AG - Robbie Neilson had another good game at wingback but I think that, even though he didn’t score, Lee Peacock is my decision. He was full of running and always very positive - an excellent debut.

RK - Just checking the other game in Group 1 and I see that Ukraine beat Albania 2-1 in Kiev. So the Group 1 table looks like this.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Scotland 4 2 0 0 5 1 1 0 1 3 2 9 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Ukraine 4 2 0 0 3 1 1 0 1 3 4 9 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Sweden 4 2 0 0 5 0 0 1 1 1 2 7 4th Albania 4 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 1 3 3 4 5th Israel 4 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 2 0 6 0</pre>


RK - That must make happy reading for Berti and his team. Congratulations to them on a good win and we hope to see you all on Wednesday night when they take on Albania at Hampden Park.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Wednesday March 26, 2003
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good evening everybody and welcome to Sky Sports coverage of Scotland’s Euro 2004 qualifier against Albania at Hampden Park. Berti’s boys will be hoping to maintain the form they showed at the weekend when they defeated Israel and keep up their strong challenge for qualification. What are your thoughts on this one Andy?

AG - Well Albania really need to win if they are to have any realistic chance of qualifying so I think that this will be a hard match for Scotland. I can’t imagine that they’ll be as negative as Israel were on Saturday so we have to be careful. If we over-commit ourselves we could easily be caught on the break.

RK - The Under 21’s had another good win last night Andy.

AG - Yes, they won 2-1 but it could easily have been more. Darren Fletcher and Mark Fotheringham scored either side of half time and although Albania pulled a goal back in the second half the boys never looked like losing.

RK - What’s the team news for tonight’s game Andy?

AG - Alan Johnston comes in for Barry Ferguson and Iain Nicolson of Dundee gets his first cap in the centre of defence. Berti is still tinkering with his defensive pairing here. Apart from that the side’s unchanged, with Mark Kerr keeping his staring place.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Lee Peacock Craig Dargo Don Hutchison Alan Johnston Mark KerrRobbie Nielson Christian Dailly Jackie McNamara Barry Smith Iain Nicolson Neil Sullivan</pre>


RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll go straight over to Hampden Park now and Andy and I will be back at half time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 5
Half Time
Scotland 1 (Peacock 31) Albania 0

RK - Well that was quite some 45 minutes Andy.

AG - I need a minute to get my breath back Richard.

RK - The sending off - a harsh decision?

AG - I think so. Let’s have another look at it. This is right at the start of the game and it’s Vata coming forward with the ball, knocks it past Smith and down he goes. There was definite contact but Vata certainly made the most of it. The referee reaches into his pocket and you’re thinking "Yellow card, Smith will have to be careful now" and he shows the red! Scotland down to 10 men after just 3 minutes. Now Berti’s got a problem here. Does he take off an attacker and bring on Matteo in defence? But no, he decides to stay positive and has Dailly drop back into defence. Brave decision and it’s paid off so far.

RK - As you say Andy, a brave decision.

AG - And the right decision I think. We have to go for the win here.

RK - Some good moments for the Scots though.

AG - Yes, let’s take a look. This is a lovely early ball from Kerr, Hutchison gets up really well and the keeper has to scramble to make the save. But now Albania coming forward through Vata again. He was a really awkward customer in the first half, but very eager to go to ground. He tangles here with Dailly and wins the free kick. That’s well struck but no real problem for Sullivan. Here’s the lead up to the goal. This is a lovely bit of control by Peacock to set up Hutchison but the keeper manages to touch it round the post. The corner is swung in by Johnston and that’s a great leap by Peacock and a smashing header. What a nice way to open your account for your country. This was a key moment here. It’s Vata again, trying to get past Dailly and he’s scythed down. Huge appeal from the Albanians but the ref decides it was just on the edge of the area. After his early decision against Smith I think that Christian is lucky to stay on the pitch as it’s just a yellow card. Here’s a good chance for Craig Dargo. That’s a good ball in from Neilson, Dargo unmarked, he really should have done better there.

RK - Albania survived a strong penalty appeal right at the end of the half.

AG - That might be a very expensive decision actually. That’s a great flick from Kerr and Hutchison takes it on the run, powers into the area and that’s a blatant foul by the defender. He’s taken the legs from under him and the ref waves play on.

RK - So, thoughts on the second half Andy.

AG - More of the same I think. I’m sure that we’ll need at least one more goal to be safe as, playing with ten men you’re always vulnerable.

RK - Thanks Andy. And now back to Hampden Park and we’ll see you at full time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 5
Full Time
Scotland 2 (Peacock 31, 71) Albania 1 (Tare 58)

RK - Well it was a close run thing but they got there in the end.

AG - But Richard, the qualifying campaign is all about results. The only thing that counts are the points on the board - it doesn’t matter how you get them.

RK - Let’s have a look at the Albanian goal.

AG - Neil Sullivan is pretty unlucky here Richard. That is a terrific shot from Kola and Neil does brilliantly to get a hand to it. But we were a bit static at the back and Tare nipped in first for an easy tap in.

RK - But then that man Peacock did it again.

AG - And how. Mark Kerr with great vision to spot Peacock’s run, that’s a nice piece of control and a super finish.

RK - Even with ten men, the win should have been more comfortable.

AG - Absolutely. I lost count of the number of chances Craig Dargo had and he just couldn’t seem to hit the target.

RK - Thoughts overall?

AG - A win’s a win Richard. It was a good performance with ten men but I thought that the referee was over-fussy and really ruined the game.

RK - Your Man of the Match Andy?

AG - No doubt about this one - Lee Peacock.

RK - Let’s see the statistics now.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Albania11 Shots on Goal 66 On Target 35 Off Target 33 Corners 09 Free Kicks 103 Offsides 63 Yellow Cards 21 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - I believe that we can go over to Claire Tomlinson for a few words from Berti Wogts.


CT - Another win under your belt Berti, but you had to work hard for that one.

BW - It vas a much good vin in ze circumstances Claire. I vas very sad about ze quite poor refereeing but zat is sometimes what you haff now. We deserved full points and I am pleased for the team tonight.

CT - And a great performance from 2-goal hero Lee Peacock.

BW - Lee did very good but zen so did all of the boys.

CT - Well done again Berti. Nice tartan waistcoat by the way.

BW - You don’t zink zat it is a little too loose? Herr Vogts is a bit more big around ze vaist zan me.


RK - There’s more good news from Kiev tonight as we hear that the Ukraine lost 1-0 to Sweden and Scotland are now 2 points clear at the top.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Scotland 5 3 0 0 7 2 1 0 1 3 2 12 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Sweden 5 2 0 0 5 0 1 1 1 2 2 10 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Ukraine 5 2 0 1 3 2 1 0 1 3 4 9 4th Albania 5 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 2 4 5 4 5th Israel 4 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 2 0 6 0</pre>


AG - That’s a bonny sight Richard but there’s still a lot of work to be done. The trip to Stockholm in June will be critical and after that the Ukraine come to Hampden. Two good results there and we’ve got a real chance.

RK - And don’t forget out there that you can see all of the action from Scotland’s remaining matches right here on Sky Sports.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Wednesday June 4, 2003
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good evening and welcome to Sky Sports coverage of Scotland’s showdown against Sweden in Stockholm. Andy - a big game for the Scots.

AG - A massive game Richard. I honestly feel that this is the single most important game in the group, especially given the current positions.

RK - Why is it so important?

AG - In my opinion whoever wins this game is in pole position to win the group. If Scotland lose then their next match against the Ukraine will almost certainly decide who finishes second. If it’s a draw then it throws the whole group wide open.

RK - So what’s the team news for tonight then.

AG - There’s a big surprise in the centre of defence as Berti is going with the untried pairing of Steven Pressley and Lee Wilkie. Pressley moved from Hearts to Dunfermline this season in search of first team football and has got himself back in the squad. Young Wilkie has had a fine season at Dundee but at 23 he lacks top class experience and he might really struggle against the quality of the Swedish forwards tonight. Derek Mcinnes is preferred to Christian Dailly as the defensive midfielder. Ferguson and Kerr play together in midfield and up front we have the two Stevies - Hampshire and Crawford.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Steven Hampshire Stephen Crawford Don Hutchison Barry Ferguson Mark KerrRobbie Nielson Derek McInnes Jackie McNamara Lee Wilkie Steven Pressley Neil Sullivan</pre>


RK - Just before we go over to the commentary team, a quick word about the Under 21’s last night.

AG - Well Richard, they had another good win, Stephen Pearson getting the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

RK - Well, let’s hope that the seniors can repeat that scoreline tonight. So now it’s over to Stockholm and we’ll see you all at half time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 6
Half Time
Sweden 0 Scotland 0

RK - Not much to chose between the two teams in a very tight first half Andy.

AG - No, but I have to say that Scotland had the better of the half in terms of chances. Rami Shaaban has definitely been the busier of the two keepers.

RK - Let’s take a lot at the key moments.

AG - This is quite early on and Jackie McNamara does well to hold off the challenge here. He goes for the shot and that’s an excellent stop by Shaaban. This is Zetterberg showing McInnes a clean pair of heels and that’s a good cross but Larsson can’t keep his header on target. And now a free kick to Scotland in quite a dangerous position. McInnes sends the ball in and that’s a nice header from Kerr and another good save. This is Kerr again - nice footwork from the Hibs player to create room for the shot and Shaaban beats the ball away. Sweden had a fair amount of possession but Scotland did well to deny them time on the ball. This is there only real chance coming up. Blomqvist leaves McNamara for dead there and that’s a dangerous ball to the near post. Allback with a good header but Sullivan makes the save.

RK - Will Scotland regret not converting one of their chances?

AG - Well that’s often the way of things Richard and that may well be the case tonight. But I’m sure that Berti will be telling the players to keep playing as they are and don’t lose concentration.

RK - Thanks Andy. We have a short break now and then back to Stockholm. We’ll see you at full time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Qualifying Game 6
Full Time
Sweden 1 (Blomqvist 57) Scotland 0

RK - Andy, your thoughts on the second half?

AG - It could have gone either way Richard and it was Sweden that got that little bit of luck to win the game.

RK - It was a well-constructed goal though.

AG - It was but I’m sure that the Scottish defence will still be a bit annoyed with themselves for conceding. Sweden had a few chances early on. Larsson came very close with a great shot but it just clips the bar. Then Daniel Andersson sets up Freddie Ljungberg but Sullivan does well to get a hand to his shot. Here’s the goal now. Larsson with a controlled layoff to Zetterberg who sends in a real teasing ball behind the defence and there’s Blomqvist to finish it off.

RK - Scotland came close to getting back into it though.

AG - Yes, they didn’t let their heads go down. Here’s Don Hutchison getting the ball from McInnes. A first time shot and that’s an awfully good save by the keeper to put it behind for the corner. Gary Teale is brought on for Hutchison and he plays the corner in. Steven Pressley climbs well there and that’s a great header back across goal that hits the inside of the post and into the keeper’s arms. But they nearly got caught on the break here as Sweden make a quick counter. Larsson the provider this time but Zetterberg’s header is claimed by Sullivan. Just minutes from time now and Robbie Neilson makes a good run down the right. That’s a nice cross to pick out Crawford but the Keeper’s there again.

RK - So a disappointing result for the Scots.

AG - Very disappointing - I really feel that a draw would have been a fair reflection of the balance of play, but it wasn’t to be.

RK - We can see that the statistics reflect the closeness of the game.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Sweden Scotland10 Shots on Goal 75 On Target 65 Off Target 14 Corners 47 Free Kicks 108 Offsides 01 Yellow Cards 40 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Who would you pick out as Man of the Match Andy?

AG - I think that it’s got to be Swedish keeper Rami Shaaban. He pulled off half a dozen excellent saves tonight and thanks to him Sweden now have a great chance of automatic qualification.

RK - We’re going to head to Stockholm briefly where Geoff Shreeves is talking to Berti Wogts.


GS - Berti, a narrow defeat there. A bit unlucky would you say?

BW - Ja very unlucky I zink. We haff at least deserved a draw but ze Swedish goalie he had different ideas.

GS - This makes a dent in your hopes of automatic qualification doesn’t it?

BW - Indeed. It vill be much hard to be first in ze group now but of course ve can still make a playoff place.

GS - Berti, thanks very much for taking the time to talk with us. By the way, I don’t think I’ve seen tartan gloves before - very unusual.


RK - In the other match in Group 1 tonight Israel picked up their first point as they held Albania to a scoreless draw in Tel-Aviv. That leaves the table looking like this.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Sweden 6 3 0 0 6 0 1 1 1 2 2 13 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Scotland 6 3 0 0 7 2 1 0 2 3 3 12 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Ukraine 5 2 0 1 3 2 1 0 1 3 4 9 4th Albania 6 0 2 1 1 3 1 0 2 4 5 5 5th Israel 5 0 0 2 3 5 0 1 2 0 6 1</pre>

RK - It’s still very tight Andy.

AG - Very tight Richard. But Sweden must now be favourites to win the group with their final two matches against Israel and Albania. It means that Scotland’s next game at home to the Ukraine in August is now vital - a defeat there will almost certainly eliminate us, assuming that the Ukraine can beat Albania and Israel in their other games.

RK - Well that certainly promises to be an enthralling encounter and you can see the whole match live here on Sky Sport. Thanks for watching and goodnight.