Euro 2012 qualifier preview: Czech Republic v Scotland
Seven minutes into stoppage time at Hampden Park, Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualification campaign already looked over.
An opening night draw with Lithuania in Kaunas would only be seen as a good result if the Scots could beat group minnows Liechtenstein in Glasgow, but with the scores embarrassingly level at 1-1 during a mammoth period of stoppage time, up popped defender Stephen McManus to power home a corner and send Scotland wild.
As important strikes go, it was right up there, but the feelgood factor that the victory produced has somewhat evaporated ahead of this one in the Czech Republic. Craig Levein isn’t happy.
“It's frustrating,” said the Scotland boss, after a newspaper claimed to have received leaked information about his team selection. “From my point of view, it doesn't help. My sole purpose is trying to win a match in Prague.
“It frustrates me that there are other agendas. There is nothing I can do - I just concentrate on the football.”
The reports had indicated that Levein was set to drop forward Kenny Miller in favour of QPR’s in form Jamie Mackie, who has been called up to the squad for the first time.
“I have a fair idea of what we need to do,” said Levein. “Every selection is difficult, when you are selecting a squad, when you are selecting a team, because everybody wants to play.
“But, for me, the important thing is getting it right on Friday. That's my job and I enjoy it.”
Miller – with 10 goals so far this season for Rangers – scored in that 2-1 win over Liechtenstein last month, and has been set to win his 50th cap in Prague. He is reportedly unhappy at the prospect of missing out on his half century to a man who has yet to make his first Scotland appearance, but Mackie is in fine form too, and is the top scorer in the Championship with table-topping QPR. It’s a dilemma for Levein, but Miller clearly believes he’ll play.
“There are so few players who have made it into the Roll of Honour,” said the Rangers forward, “so it's going to be a proud moment for me if I can get that 50th cap against the Czech Republic.
“Darren Fletcher has just done it and it will be a great moment in my career if I am selected.”
He and Levein will be confident of getting a result, regardless of selection.
The Czech Republic’s eight year cycle of good European Championship campaigns looks like coming to an end in 2012, as this team isn’t a patch on the side that reached the Euro 96 final at Wembley and were semi finalists in Portugal in 2004 – where they played the best football of the tournament.
The current vintage lost their opening qualifier at home to Lithuania, and so this clash with the Scots already represents a make or break tie for them.
While there are weaknesses, they do still possess the talents of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech, Arsenal’s Tomáš Rosický and the former Liverpool and Aston Villa forward Milan Baroš, these days banging in the goals for Galatasaray in Turkey. They’ll be hoping that a win here will kickstart their qualifying campaign.
It may well do. Scotland don’t travel well lately, and with the press distractions this week, Levein may have taken his eye off the ball.
Miller’s 50th cap could well be one to forget.
Prediction: Czech Republic 2 Scotland 0
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