Scotland in uphill battle to qualify

After promising so much, boss shows distinct lack of ambition

By Sean Wallace

Published:

GEORGE Burley promised he would not let the Tartan Army down – but he did, with an unforgivable lack of ambition.

Striker Chris Iwelumo may be guilty of missing the worst sitter ever seen at Hampden.

But it is national gaffer Burley, not Iwelumo, who is solely culpable for a horror show of negative tactics that has left the World Cup campaign in tatters.

It is too early to fully write off hopes of making the play-offs, but four points from three games is not the form of a team bound for South Africa.

And Burley, so uninspiring at pitch-side and in pre-match conferences, has yet to convince that he can turn that around.

The former Hearts gaffer vowed to take the Scots to the World Cup with ‘sexy’ football.

Sexy? – this limp performance had as much excitement and passion as snogging a granny.

With a packed Hampden, passionate fans, and a demoralised Norway side who had not won this year, the ingredients were perfect to go on the front foot.

Instead Burley adopted a negative 4-1-4-1 with James McFadden left in no-man’s land as the sole striker.

Long hopeful balls up to the diminutive striker were being mopped up by the towering 6ft 4in Hangeland. Totally pointless.

Playing one up-front is completely unacceptable in a must-win home game, and Burley should hang his head in shame.

Scott Brown, whose main strength is running at defenders, was deployed as the holding midfielder, effectively nullifying his attacking threat.

Burley’s tactics reeked of a man terrified of losing the game to even contemplate going out and win it.

Norway threatened in nine minutes when Carew burst on goal after a neat one-two, but Naysmith produced a great tackle.

Hangeland headed wide from a corner in 15 minutes, then Carew had a low shot blocked by Gordon.

The loose ball fell to Bjorn Riise, but he fired wide from 10 yards.

Scotland’s first significant effort came in 44 minutes when McFadden’s cross from the left found Morrison at the back post, but he headed over.

On 56 minutes, Burley made a change, taking on Iwelumo and Steven Fletcher for McFadden and Morrison.

Two rookie strikers tasked with saving the day, while Scotland’s most natural goal-scorer, Kris Boyd, warmed the bench.

Scotland moved to 4-4-2, but then Iwelumo was guilty of one of the worst misses I have ever seen.

Naysmith burst into the box and drilled a low ball across goal, but the Wolves striker failed to tap the ball into an empty net from three yards.

You could have heard a pin drop as it dipped past the far post.

On 73 minutes, Maloney sent a vicious shot just wide of goal and was again thwarted when a shot was blocked by Hangeland.

Pedersen burst past Brown on the right on 85 minutes and found Iversen in space, who drilled a low shot at goal, but Gordon blocked.

It was a vital save, that keeps Scotland’s slim hopes alive.

Unless Burley shows more ambition, invention, and faith in his players, Scotland can kiss goodbye to South Africa.