Miller misses

By FOS Editor
May 30 2011

Scoltand missed out on the initial Carling Nations Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Ireland on Sunday despite making numerous chances

Hosts Republic of Ireland won the inaugural Carling Nations Cup thanks to Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland, despite Scotland making enough chances to have won the game.

Phil Bardsley was first to have a chance when he forced a fine save from Irish goalkeeper Shay Given before the home side's 23rd-minute winner.

The goal conceded was a disappointing as Keane was allowed to advance from his own half to the edge of the box before his low drive slipped under the body of Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

More chances for Scotland with Kenny Miller being denied a penalty and then forcing a fine instinctive save from Given as Scotland pressed late on.

But it was the Irish who claimed the victory to end with a 100% record in the new tournament after earlier defeats of Northern Ireland and Wales.

Scotland boss Craig Levein was happy with his sides performance and the work put in over the week, "Obviously there is a tinge of disappointment in the fact that we did not win. Okay, it is a friendly cup, but the lads put in so much effort I think they deserved something from the match.

"I am really thrilled at the week the lads have given Scotland."

"What is important for me is the progress the team has made in the last year to 18 months. We were playing a team that are far higher ranked than we are and we dominated possession of the ball for long spells.

"In international football, it is difficult to create chances. Well, we created enough chances to win a couple of games."

If Levein gets a better indication of the players available to him later in the year for the last of our Euro qualifiers then this tournament will have been worthwhile. But the constant tinkering with selection and the handing out of debuts to all and sundry (James Forrest, come on!!) is a bit of a worry for me.