Mercurial Mueller a marvel

German midfielder guides world champions to Euro 2016 with commanding display in Glasgow

THOMAS Mueller is always good for a decent quote, and Monday night was no exception after he had helped Germany beat hosts Scotland 3-2 in Euro 2016 qualifying with two goals and an assist.

Commenting on his first goal, a rather harmless shot which only went in via a deflection off defender Russell Martin, Mueller said: “That was the result of a lot of hard training. I practice such moments in extra shifts.”

The 25-year-old Bavarian raised his Euro qualifying tally to eight goals from as many games for second place behind his Bayern Munich teammate Robert Lewandowski, who has found the net 10 times for Poland in the same Group D.

Mueller’s overall figure in 65 caps now stands at 25 goals. They also include a brace in the first 2-1 qualifying win over the Scots last year.

Glasgow’s The Herald yesterday rated him “mesmerising,” Britain’s Daily Telegraph called him “the archplunderer,” while in Germany the Sueddeutsche Zeitung said it was “good to have an unpredictable player which even a dedicated defence finds hard to contain.”

His unorthodox game, within a strict tactical order in Germany and Munich, gives both teams a surprise element which can make a difference and is praised by both coaches, Joachim Loew and Pep Guardiola.

“Thomas Mueller has a very good sense for situations and space. He sneaks into areas where there is no opponent. That is his big strength,” Loew said after Monday’s game.

“That’s his distinction, it is something you cannot learn. Thomas Mueller has it in his blood. He just knows where the ball falls. That is invaluable for us.”

Mueller, who also has five goals from the first three Bundesliga games this season, said: “I’ve put them on target well in recent matches. It’s obviously great when the passes fall nicely for me and I also made good decisions.”

Mueller’s double and his setting up of Ilkay Guendogan for the third in a classy one-two move kept the world champions on top of the group with 19 points and all but assured of qualifying with two games left.

Poland are second on 17 and Ireland third on 15 with the top two qualifying directly and third team either going through automatically or entering a play-off, depending on results in other groups. Germany end the campaign next month in Ireland and at home to lowly Georgia, but are well positioned after turning around a slow start with the latest wins against Poland (3-1) and in Glasgow.

An own goal from Mats Hummels, after a sub-par clearance from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and James McArthur allowed Scotland to level twice but Mueller insisted that “we were commanding even though the 3-2 scoreline suggests a close match”.

Loew agreed, saying: “We dominated the match, and didn’t give Scotland any chances from open play. Our goal was to pick up six points from the two games, which we have done”.