Scotland

Preview

Having qualified for four straight World Cup tournaments, Scotland were probably relatively confident going into this qualification, despite the fact that they had failed to cause much stir in the previous qualifiers, those ahead of the 1988 European Championships. At least on behalf of themselves. It has to be said that they did their near neighbours Republic of Ireland a wonderful service by winning 1-0 away to Bulgaria in their penultimate qualifier, something which paved way for the Irish to make it through to a continental tournament for the first time in their history. Ending that campaign with a goalless draw in Luxembourg was hardly how the Scottish wanted to be remembered. Read more →

World Cup appearances: 1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986

Manager: Andy Roxburgh

Results

Qualifier 1
14.09.1988
Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo)

Norway
Fjørtoft (44′)

1–2
(Report)

Scotland
McStay (15′)
Johnston (63′)

Two points from an opening qualification away fixture is what dreams are made of, and Scotland secure their win after a workmanlike performance. They are physically stronger than their opponents, and they capitalize from a piece of ‘poacher’s instinct’ as Johnston fires home a winner in the second half. Captain Aitken had been substituted in fear of him receiving a second yellow.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Gillespie, Miller, McLeish, Malpas – Gallacher, Aitken (c) (Durrant 58), McStay, Nicol – McClair, Johnston.

Qualifier 2
19.10.1988
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland
Johnston (19′)

1–1
(Report)

Yugoslavia
Katanec (37′)

The Scottish continued their qualification with a strong point against a solid Yugoslavian outfit, although it could’ve been even better had McCoist’s late strike not been kept out by Ivković. Scotland had battled well all game, and they were good value for the draw, having moved ahead through Johnston’s second goal in two qualifiers. Taking Bett off early in the second half improved the Scots.

Line-up (4-4-2): Goram – Gough, Miller (c), McLeish, Malpas – Nicol, Aitken (Speedie 70), McStay, Bett (McCoist 55) – Johnston, McClair.

Friendly
22.12.1988
Stadio Renato Curi (Perugia)

Italy
Giannini (49′ pen.)
Berti (71′)

2–0
(Report)

Scotland

A slightly depleted Scotland squad proved too lightweight for Italy in this friendly encounter. The hosts probably dominated to a greater extent in the first half than they did in the final 45 minutes, though both goals came after the break. Gough was adjudged, softly, to have fouled Serena for Giannini’s spot-kick goal, and later they added a second through a fine header. Roxburgh opted for a rare 5-3-2 formation in which he experimented somewhat with several players.

Line-up (5-3-2): Goram – Malpas, Gough (Speedie 87), Narey, McLeish, MacLeod – McStay (McClair 56), Aitken (c), I. Ferguson (Durie 76) – Gallacher, Johnston.

Qualifier 3
08.02.1989
Tsíreio Stádio (Limassol)

Cyprus
Koliantris (15′)
Ioannou (48′)

2–3
(Report)

Scotland
Johnston (9′)
Gough (54′, 90+6′)

It was back to 4-4-2 for Roxburgh as they sought to add another two points to their tally and catch up with leaders Yugoslavia. They did move in front early through Johnston, the striker’s third goal in three qualifiers, but they failed to protect their lead for long, with Cyprus soon levelling. On a terrible pitch, Scotland opted for long balls, though they needed to come back from a goal down with defender Gough an unlikely two goal hero, the last of those six minutes into time added on. Ultimately, the Scottish team would need to seek refuge among the riot police to not be confronted with the many angry home supporters.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Gough, Narey, McLeish, Malpas – Nicol (Ferguson 10), Aitken (c), McStay, McClair – Speedie (McInally 69), Johnston.

Qualifier 4
08.03.1989
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland
Johnston (29′, 53′)

2–0
(Report)

France

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Gough, Gillespie, McLeish (c), Malpas – Nicol, Aitken, McStay, Ferguson – McCoist, Johnston.
TBC

Qualifier 5
26.04.1989
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland
Johnston (26′)
McCoist (63′)

2–1
(Report)

Cyprus
Nikolaou (62′)

Yet another Johnston goal, his sixth in five qualifiers, set Scotland on their march for another win, taking them further ahead of the chasing pack in the group. They had big MacPherson making his debut at the back, and involved both Nevin and Durie along the flanks in an attacking set-up. They had to see Cyprus pin them back just after the hour, before a moment of sheer brilliance by McStay set McCoist up for the winner.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Gough, MacPherson, McLeish, Malpas – Nevin (Nicholas 74), Aitken (c), McStay, Durie (Speedie 59) – McCoist, Johnston.

Friendly
27.05.1989
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland

0–2
(Report)

England
Waddle (20′)
Bull (81′)

Scotland would feel the absence of leading defender Gough, and they’d relinquish initiative almost from the start, and they were deservedly behind after the opening period, having conceded a 20th minute header. They lacked width, although Nevin did his best to address this. However, he was sadly alone. Debutant Grant showed some good battling skills after coming on, and Scotland almost capitalized with a goal of their own until their fight eventually fizzled out.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – McKimmie, MacPherson, McLeish, Malpas – Nevin, Aitken (c), McStay, Connor (Grant 58) – McCoist, Johnston

Friendly
30.05.1989
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland
McInally (5′)
MacLeod (53′)

2–0

Chile

Leighton’s 50th cap, hence his captaincy. This ensured him and his family free tickets for all future Scotland internationals. An early McInally goal and a second half MacLeod strike, both respective first in country colours, ensured Scotland finishing second in the 1989 edition of Rous Cup. Video: photos (worth seeing).

Line-up: Leighton (c) – McKimmie, Gillespie (Whyte 70), McLeish, Malpas – Aitken, Grant, McStay, MacLeod – Speedie (Johnston h-t), McInally.

Qualifier 6
06.09.1989
Stadion Maksimir (Zagreb)

Yugoslavia
Katanec (54′)
Nicol (58′ o.g.)
Gillespie (59′ o.g.)

3–1
(Report)

Scotland
Durie (43′)

Scotland ship in three goals in the space of six minutes in the 2nd half, as they finally crumble to Yugoslavia’s pressure. Roxburgh attempts to strengthen his central midfield by instructing left midfielder MacLeod to tuck in, but it’s no help against Yugoslavia’s ball players. Game is over after the hour mark, as Scotland focus on damage control for the rest of the game. But as usual, they look a team more than capable of scoring goals.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Gillespie, Miller, McLeish, Malpas – Nicol, Aitken (c), McStay, MacLeod – Durie (McInally 75′), McCoist.

Qualifier 7
11.10.1989
Parc des Princes (Paris)

France
Deschamps (26′)
Cantona (63′)
Durand (89′)

3–0
(Report)

Scotland

A second successive away defeat leaves Scottish qualification in danger. Possession wise they’re sound in Paris, but they have little penetration, and particularly lack wide threat. McCoist close to scoring on a few occasions, whilst Scotland look indecisive defensively, where Gough’s appearing at centre-half for the first time in the qualification. The French have defender Di Meco sent off early second half, but even against ten men the visitors can’t take advantage. At least a point is now needed against Norway.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – Nicol, Gough, McLeish, Malpas – Strachan (McInally 64), Aitken (c), McStay, MacLeod (Bett 76) – Johnston, McCoist.

Qualifier 8
15.11.1989
Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Scotland
McCoist (45′)

1–1
(Report)

Norway
Johnsen (90+2′)

At least a draw was what Scotland were needing in order to make their passage through to another World Cup, and a draw was what they would get, although they had been unlucky not to win. The Norwegians were playing for little but pride, and the home side had the better of proceedings, even creating a number of opportunities, only to be denied by the excellent goalkeeping of Thorstvedt. However, McCoist would put Scotland in front right on the stroke of half-time, and from then on a defeat never seemed likely. Second half opportunities were wasted, with the Norway ‘keeper again unbeatable, and at the death Leighton would spill Johnsen’s hopeful 45 yard effort across the goalline. Too late for a comeback, and Scotland and their fans could celebrate a fifth straight World Cup qualification.

Line-up (4-4-2): Leighton – MacPherson, Miller (MacLeod 67), McLeish, Malpas – Aitken (c), McStay, Bett, Cooper (McClair 74) – Johnston, McCoist.

Conclusion

Scotland qualify for their fifth consecutive World Cup. Finishing second in the group probably reflects their standing: behind the impressive Yugoslavians, but ahead of the French, who struggled to find form before it was too late.

There were plenty of goals in Scotland’s qualifiers, 24 all in all (12 for and 12 against). Mo Johnston was the second top goal scorer in the European qualification, and the partnership between him and McCoist proved a vast success. They always looked like a team with goals in them, and continued creating chances in every game – even the 3-0 defeat in Paris could easily have gone otherwise. 

But this was also a side that was shipping goals. They conceded three times in both the away games against their fiercest rivals, Yugoslavia and France, during autumn 1989. Against Yugoslavia, they had crumbled to a long-lasting pressure to concede three times within the space of six minutes, revealing a very nervous defence. The big weakness in this respect was not necessarily only the four at the back, but perhaps more significantly the midfield bank of four.

Remarkably, 6 of the 12 goals that Scotland let in resulted from set-pieces. There is no question that there was plenty of aerial abilities in the team (McLeish, Gough etc.), they evidently struggled to pick up their men and continued leaking goals in these situations throughout the qualification. 

Roxburgh maintained a 4-4-2 formation for the entire campaign (although experimenting with a 5-3-2 in a friendly in December 1988). This was a formation no doubt fitting to their more direct playing style, which relied heavily on the work rate of the two forwards. Creativity was otherwise lacking in midfield, although McStay stood out as one of the most eminent performers of the team.

The one big issue Roxburgh had with this formation, was the left midfield position, where he simply couldn’t find any appropriate player. Roxburgh tested a number of players, and eventually only Murdo MacLeod – a defensive midfielder – started more than one game in this troubled position.

TBC

PosTeamPlWDLGFGAPts
1Yugoslavia862016614
2Scotland8422121210
3France83321079
4Norway82241096
5Cyprus80176201

Player Statistics

Number of players used: 27
Number of players including unused substitutes: 32
Ever-presents (720 mins): 3 (Malpas, McLeish, McStay)
Leading goalscorer: 6 (Johnston)
Yellow/red cards: 4/0

– overview

PlayerAppsXISubUnSubMinsGoalsY/R
Aitken886681/0
Bett321159
Clarke1
Cooper1174
Durie221341
Durrant1132
Ferguson, I.211136
Gallacher11490
Gillespie33270
Goram11790
Gough554502
Grant1
Gunn1
Johnston7763061/0
Leighton77630
MacLeod3212189
MacPherson221180
Malpas88720
McClair5322303
McCoist65146821/0
McInally, A.33162
McInally, J.1
McLeish887201/0
McStay887201
Miller44337
Narey11190
Nevin11174
Nicholas11116
Nicol66460
Sharp1
Speedie3121120
Strachan21198

– game by game

PlayerNor (a)Yug (h)Cyp (a)Fra (h)Cyp (h)Yug (a)Fra (a)Nor (h)PlayedMinutes
Aitken58709090909090908668
Bett5514902+1159
ClarkeR
Durie59752134
Durrant32+132
Ferguson, I80561+1136
Gallacher90RRRR190
Gillespie9090903270
GoramR90RRRRRR190
Gough90909090905450
GrantR
GunnR
Johnston909090909090907630
Leighton909090909090907630
MacLeodRR9076232+1189
Malpas90909090909090908720
McClair90909017RR163+2303
McCoist3573909090905+1468
McInally, A211526R+362
McLeish90909090909090908720
McStay90909090909090908720
Miller909090674337
NareyR90190
NicholasR16+116
Nicol9090109090906460
SharpR
Speedie2069R311+2120
Strachan34641+198
MacPherson90R902180
Cooper74174
Nevin74R174
McInally, JR

– ratings

PosPlayerAverage ratingNumber of rated games
1McCoist7,245
2Johnston7,216
3Gough7,204
4McLeish7,047
5McStay6,957
6Miller6,924
7Malpas6,857
8Nicol6,825
9Aitken6,757
10Leighton6,716
Explanation to table: Total number of rated games: 7. A player must have featured for four or more matches in order to be considered.

Post-qualification

Friendly
28.03.1990 Scotland 1-0 Argentina
Goal:
Line-up

Friendly
25.04.1990 Scotland 0-1 East Germany
Line-up

Friendly
16.05.1990 Scotland 1-3 Egypt
Goal:
Line-up

Friendly
28.05.1990 Malta 1-2 Scotland
Goals:
Line-up

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