Brown's Scotland delight

Scotland's battling braves pleased Craig Brown

Scotland manager Craig Brown declared he was delighted with the contributions of his new players in a 1-1 friendly draw in Poland - and confirmed Scott Booth was back in contention for another World Cup appearance. Brown handed debuts to seven players and brought back Booth and Stevie Crawford after lengthy exiles.

With the entire first choice midfield absent through injury or club commitments, and experienced campaigners such as Matt Elliott and Colin Hendry unavailable, Brown's selection had a makeshift look about it.

But he was delighted to discover that the players who had been waiting for their chances did not let him down.

Brown - proud Booth netted the equaliser from the penalty spot after he had been fouled himself, and Brown confirmed that his one comeback match, his first since the World Cup finals in 1998, had been enough to make him a regular fixture in his squad.

He said: "I've always been enthusiastic about Booth as a player but I've been a bit frustrated that he didn't make the step.

"With little supply he was excellent and he didn't complain that he was heavily challenged all the time. He put himself about."

The seven debutants were Barry Nicholson, John O'Neil, Charlie Miller and Gavin Rae from the start with Andy McLaren, Stephen Caldwell and Kenny Miller coming on in the second half.

Brown said: "You can't say any of them played badly. There wasn't a weakness."

It seemed however that two of the new boys had done especially well - Dunfermline defender Nicholson and Newcastle utility man Caldwell.

Brown said of Nicholson: "He was excellent. We've been looking at him for a while because he is excellent at under-21 level."

Caldwell too is already being earmarked as a future Scotland centre-half, although he played in midfield when he replaced Miller in the 56th minute.

Brown said he believed that had Caldwell come on earlier then he might be able to prevent the Poles' goal which was a header from a free kick by substitute Radoslaw Kaluzny.

With little supply he was excellent and he didn't complain that he was heavily challenged all the time Scotland boss Craig Brown on Scott Booth The Scots pride themselves on being well organised defending set pieces but on this occasion they were unhinged. Brown said: "If we had him on earlier I don't think we would have lost the goal but that's easy to say in hindsight.

"I don't think he's ready for the top level but he did very well when he came on."

He added: "I was very proud of the performance. We were missing Craig Burley, Paul Lambert, Barry Ferguson and Dominic Matteo, almost the whole midfield and I will have to think in future `Is Gavin Rae or John O'Neil better?' But what we do know now is that we can play them."

Brown also had words of praise for hall of fame member Tom Boyd, the 35-year-old veteran with almost 50 caps more than any other player in the team.

Brown said: I was impressed by the way the back three defended and I thought Boyd was magnificent."

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Answers

Newcastle's utility man? So that's what he does at SJP - empties the gas meters. Still, nice to see he had a solid performance on his debut. Well done Steve.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

This does explain a lot to me. I couldn't understand how a lad who'd only played a few games for us could come on a a sub against West Ham, play out of position at right back and not look out of place. Clearly you have to be an international class utility player to fill Warren Barton's boots.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Fill them with concrete you mean? :-)

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Anyone see that cracking goal that Olivier Bernard scored for Torquay the other night? I had forgotten he was on loan there...

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

No, but I saw him score a cracker for Darlington - shame they lost!

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Is he playing left back or left-midfield for Darlington?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Quoting Bobby Williamson manager of Kilmarnock (honest guy) who was looking after Scotland`s under 21`s , " If Steve Caldwell is rated better than Gary, all I can say he must be some player", nice eh and ties in with a few comments on here by our reservists.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Just a tad disquieting at the same time though, eh buff?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

I really have to emphasise that there is a gulf in class between Gary and Stevie on what I saw. It is very disconcerting to see Stevie do well for Scotland.

If Craig Brown was at the U-21 game they both played in then he was mad to not pick Gary for the full team first. Now that would have been good, capped before your pro debut !!

I remember a Liverpool player in about 1990 getting an U-21 cap before he broke into the Liverpool first team, all on the say of King Kenny. Name that player ?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Softie, usually I can ping your thoughts instantly , `Just a tad disquieting though Buff`, not even alongside never mind onboard with you bonny lad on that one, as Dougall was wont to say `discuss` ,nah explain pse.

Mac, Liverpool player, daein my heed in , refuse to look it up ,try tomorrow,

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Just that it's nice to have two highly rated youngsters but worrying in that most observers rate Gary as the better player except the chap who picks the talent at our club. Far be it from me to suggest that it might be a case of muddling the names up or anything like that.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2001

I don't think there is anything sinister here gang. Gary is only 18, a year younger than Steve, and doesn't seem quite so self- confident.

My guess is that both BR and the Scotland hierarchy realise they could have an exceptional talent on their hands with Gary C., and don't wish to jeopardise his development by pushing him too fast. Could always be my wishful thinking also, of course!

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2001

It's probably a "secret weapon ploy" for our push for the title next year, just when the rest of the premiership thinks they know how to deal with us then we unleash Gary.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2001