NAI BOTHER
Striker Steven seals first Nations League win for manager McLeish
ALEX McLEISH came out swinging last night after his new-look Scotland team got off to a UEFA Nations League flier by dumping Albania at an almost empty Hampden.
Only 17,455 fans witnessed the 2-0 victory and the mood was mutinous before kick-off when McLeish’s side was named without Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest in it.
But the Scotland boss’s decision to play Steven Naismith up front with Jonny Russell and Stephen O’Donnell in the wing-back role that many believed Forrest should occupy was vindicated in a all-action display that should have resulted in a greater margin of victory.
Naismith claimed the opening goal but it was later given as an own goal by defender Berat Xhimshiti before the Hearts striker grabbed the second that killed the
contest. McLeish said: “It was a very good performance.
“We played at a great tempo and were versatile in the wide areas with centre-halves joining in and we did it with good defensive discipline.
“We hit them with a whirlwind but didn’t get a goal and couldn’t keep up that pace forever.
“So it was very nice to see that first goal going in.
“I work with the players every day. I see them and you guys don’t so I’m well qualified to select who I choose to.
“I felt that these two did really well for us – Jonny Russell and Naisy.
“What did Naisy bring? Two goals.
“I wanted to do a pairing. I had a feeling about Jonny and Stevie was showing up well in training.
“We got Leigh on and he’s still very important to us as are all the guys who didn’t play.
“I love them all – they are playing at good levels and we change the system at times.”
McLeish admitted he knew the pressure was on going into the game after four defeats in his opening five friendlies.
But when the real thing came along he got it right.
He added: “Rome wasn’t built in a day. People talked about my win ratio – I’m not bothered about that.
“I had to take the South America trip and it turned out positive despite losing two games.
“It’s three games and I was under pressure. I know that and feel that as I know how football works.
“I’m building a wall, not papering over cracks.
“I didn’t pick Belgium to fill the stadium. I thought more would come to see the Eden Hazards of this world.
“But the only way to get the fans back is to win. I want the fans to come to watch us – not Belgium and Portugal. That’s the goal for us.”
Next up for Scotland is a Nations League to Israel on October 11 and a win will make McLeish’s men big favourites to top the three team group and reach a play-off semi-final.
He added: “A win in Israel? That’s the goal for us. It’s not easy.
“I can speak personally about a trip to Israel a long time ago. We got battered in the first half. We changed at half-time and got a Kenny Dalglish winner.
“It’s never easy away from home but we have the confidence.
“We are building things and the players took heart from some footage we saw from the Belgium game.
“We have to empower them and in some moments the passing has been good. We are a work in progress.”
Albania manager Christian Panucci admitted Scotland deserved their victory.
The Italian said: “Scotland definitely had more chances than we did during the game. But the manner we lost the goals, I’m not happy about.
“A ball is thrown in and a goal is created but I don’t want to take away from the great performance of Scotland.