The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scots’ problems on display again
Hosts slack in defence and toothless in attack
There is a growing feeling among the Tartan Army that Gordon Strachan has taken Scotland as far as he can and last night’s match at Easter Road did little to appease the doubters who feel it is time for a change.
Canada may be ranked 117th in the world but they provided plenty of uncomfortable moments for Scotland and took a shock lead after 11 minutes through Falkirk midfielder Fraser Aird. Steven Naismith restored parity 10 minutes before the break but it was a nervy first half display, especially from a jittery back four.
This may have only been a friendly but it once again emphasised Scotland’s shortcomings – defensively suspect and toothless in attack.
It was a night of few positives for the Scotland manage, although Ikechi Anya impressed as a make-shift right-back.
But the result and performance in front of a poor crowd of 9,158 will give the Scotland support precious few reasons to feel confident when they head to Hampden on Sunday.
The Tartan Army did not descend on Easter Road en masse for this friendly, with a disappointing crowd in attendance for the sixth meeting between the sides with Scotland having triumphed in all five previous encounters.
There is a real sense of apathy towards the national team at present following a dismal start to the World Cup qualifying campaign with only four points to show from the opening four games and the prospects of reaching Russia next year looking increasingly bleak.
A defeat by Slovenia at Hampden on Sunday could bring the curtain down on Strachan’s time in charge but last night’s match offered his players the chance to prepare for the crucial qualifier.
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Fraser was forced to wait for his Scotland debut after picking up a minor knee injury in training but Fulham’s Tom Cairney made his international bow in midfield.
Anya started at right-back alongside Lee Wallace, Charlie Mulgrew and Christophe Berra in defence, while Chris Martin spearheaded the attack with support from Robert Snodgrass, Steven Naismith and Oliver Burke.
There were a couple of familiar faces in the Canadian team including Burnley midfielder Scott Arfield, who was born and raised in Scotland but opted to play for the country where his father was born.
Scotland were immediately on the front foot with Anya picking out
Naismith, who nodded wide inside the opening five minutes.
The visitors were next to threaten with Cardiff City’s Junior Hoilett setting up Arfield, whose left-footed effort curled over.
That was a warning sign for the Scots but they failed to take heed and fell behind after 11 minutes.
A sloppy pass from Lee Wallace sparked a Canadian counter-attack with the Rangers defender and Mulgrew failing to deal with a Maxim Tissot cross and the ball fell into the path of Aird, who slotted beyond Allan McGregor.
Snodgrass almost restored parity immediately with a cross that evaded everyone and bounced back off the woodwork before Martin shot straight at Canadian goalkeeper Simon Thomas.
The visitors were inches away from grabbing a second soon after when Aird jinked past two defenders before firing just wide with McGregor helpless.
But a relieved Scotland drew level 10 minutes before the break when, following a frantic goalmouth scramble, a Cairney shot was diverted into the net by Naismith for his seventh goal for his country.
After a poor first half, Wallace was withdrawn at the break and replaced by former Dundee United defender Andy Robertson, while the ineffective Burke made way for Barry Bannan.
Scotland had plenty of the ball and chances to get in front with Berra failing to trouble Canadian goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, who had replaced Thomas.
With half-an-hour to go, Strachan opted to alter his formation and went with two up front with Jordan Rhodes and Leigh Griffiths brought on for Naismith and Martin.
Canada were still pressing forward when possible with Hoilett chancing his luck from outside the area with an effort that flew over the bar.
The visitors went close again with 12 minutes remaining when a McGregor tipped over a strike from Aird.
Scotland pushed forward in the closing stages but rarely troubled the visitors who held on for a deserved draw with Strachan’s side booed off the park at full-time.