Skrtel’s late own goal allows Scots to continue to dream
SCOTLAND’S 2018 World Cup hopes remain alive after a late goal gave them victory over 10man Slovakia at Hampden Park.
Midway through the first half midfielder Robert Mak, booked earlier for a foul on winger James Forrest, was deemed by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic to have dived inside the Scots’ penalty area as he went past goalkeeper Craig Gordon and picked up a second yellow.
Substitute Chris Martin and Leigh Griffiths both his the crossbar with strikes after the break and with Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka having a remarkable night in goal it looked like it would be another hard luck story.
However, with two minutes of regulation time remaining a cross from another substitute, Ikechi Anya, was turned into his own goal by Slovakia captain Martin Skrtel under pressure from Martin.
England are through as Group F winners while Gordon Strachan’s side face Slovenia away in their final fixture on Sunday in second place, two points ahead of Slovakia, but probably still needing a win as Jan Kozak’s side are playing minnows Malta.
With captain Scott Brown and fellow Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong out through injury, Darren Fletcher and James Morrison returned along with Barry Bannan as goalkeeper Gordon earned his 50th cap.
Germany will be in Russia next summer to defend their World Cup crown having sealed their qualification by inflicting a first competitive home defeat on Northern Ireland in four years.
Michael O’Neill’s men, who had previously lost a qualifier in Belfast to Portugal in September 2013, lost 3-1 last night.
Sebastian Rudy, after 83 seconds, Sandro Wagner and Joshua Kimmich made it 3-0 before Josh Magennis claimed a consolation for the hosts in stoppage-time. ENGLAND Under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd believes Jack Harrison can add a different dimension to the Young Lions.
The New York City winger earned his first call up for the under-21s after impressing in the United States.
Ex-Manchester United youngster Harrison – who paid £1,200 for a new flight himself after initially missing his first from the USA at the weekend – could make his debut in the Euro 2019 qualifier against Scotland in Middlesbrough tonight.
He has scored 10 goals and contributed six assists this season with NYC second in the MLS Eastern Conference to earn the nickname ‘Golden Boy’ from his team-mates, who include World Cup winners David Villa and Andrea Pirlo.
He said: “It (the nickname) must be nice for him. It shows you the pathway has changed or is changing. There’s no hard or fast route (for call-ups). Some go abroad and play and now we have someone who goes away, ends up playing for New York City and does really well.
“He’s been doing really well for New York and he’s been playing with one or two reasonable players after the tweets we’ve seen. He’s one we’ve been aware of for about a year.
“He first came on our radar from some of the scouting. We had a look and did our due diligence on him.
“If his stats are where they are in terms of his goals and assists, and we’ve watched a few games remotely, he looks like someone who could add to us.”
Should Stoke-born Harrison – who moved to the States in 2011 – not feature tonight he is likely to play in the Group 4 game in Andorra on Tuesday with Boothroyd confirming he is set to hand a debut to the 20-yearold over the two matches at some point.