Vogts outlines a strategy for qualification

SCOTLAND manager Berti Vogts insists a draw in Iceland next week would be by no means a disaster.

That was certainly the description applied to the Scots’ previous Euro 2004 qualifier following their 2-2 result in the Faroe Islands.

The Scots had to claw their way back from a two-goal deficit incurred in just 12 minutes in Toftir and Vogts had to bear the brunt of a barrage of criticism from both the Tartan Army and the media.

Now the Scots head northwards once more to take on a team that is ranked ahead of them despite a total population roughly the size of Aberdeen.

Vogts insisted that a draw in Laugardalsvollur on October 12 would be a good result as all the Scots could legitimately hope for in a group also containing World Cup runners-up Germany was second place. Home wins and away draws against the other teams would therefore be enough, he argued.

He said: "We have to win against Iceland here. Maybe we need one point in Iceland. It is enough for us, for the play-off place.

"We also have to beat Lithuania and after that we play Germany, one of the best teams in the world.

"There is a very good atmosphere in the squad but we need a good result. That is very important for us.

"We had a very bad result against the Faroes. The performance was so poor but we look forward and now there is a very important game for Scotland.

"Iceland, Lithuania and Scotland are looking for the play-off place. They are not arrogant by looking for place number one. We are looking forward and we will do our best."

Vogts has yet to taste victory in a full international since succeeding Craig Brown in March and has drafted Birmingham winger Paul Devlin and Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson into a squad that will also take on Canada in an Easter Road friendly on October 15.

Vogts was even hoping the comeback his side needed in the Faroes would act as a springboard to success.

He said: "After ten minutes my team came back not with a good performance but like a big fighter. That was, I hope, when the door opened again for Scottish football. First you have to look to fighting and emotion - that is Scottish football."

As expected, Hearts skipper Steven Pressley has been recalled along with Callum Davidson of Leicester, Celtic midfielder Jackie McNamara and James McFadden, Motherwell’s highly-rated youngster.

A number of players who would have travelled to the Faroes but for injury were also named with Dominic Matteo of Leeds, Gary Naysmith of Everton and Rangers winger Neil McCann available again.

Pressley was named in the squad for Vogts’ first game in charge - the friendly against France - but was forced to miss out with a back injury. The Tynecastle star is delighted that he is back in the frame and aims to make the most of his chance if selected to face Iceland. "I am a fierce patriot and I’m not exaggerating when I say it means the world to me to represent my country," said Pressley. "This is a chance I simply have to take. People might say I’m getting in at the wrong time because of all the negativity surrounding the Scotland set-up but we are one big result in Iceland away from turning it all around."

Vogts was excited about including Devlin, although he also felt the need to explain away his "foreign" roots. He said: "Yes he is English but his father is Scottish. I watched him on television and spoke to him yesterday. He has played all the matches for Birmingham and now I will watch him in training."

Vogts revealed that centre-back Anderson had impressed him during both legs of Aberdeen’s UEFA Cup first round tie with Hertha Berlin and he and Pressley filled the void left by Weir. Vogts described Pressley as a good organiser who had impressed him with his vocal presence at the back as well as his competent defensive play.

McNamara is unlikely to feature against Iceland but could do so against Canada with the door also open for Hibs midfielder Ian Murray and Celtic defender Stephen Crainey, both of whom were named in the under-21 squad to take on Iceland the day prior to the senior squad.

Scotland squad: N Alexander (Cardiff), R Douglas (Celtic), P Gallacher (Dundee United), G Alexander (Preston), R Anderson (Aberdeen), C Dailly (West Ham), C Davidson (Leicester), S Pressley (Hearts), M Ross (Rangers), R Stockdale (Middlesbrough), L Wilkie (Dundee) P Devlin (Birmingham), B Ferguson (Rangers), S Gemmill (Everton), P Lambert (Celtic), J McFadden (Motherwell), J McNamara (Celtic), D Matteo (Leeds), G Naysmith (Everton), S Severin (Hearts), G Williams (Nottingham Forest), S Crawford (Dunfermline), S Dobie (West Brom), K Kyle (Sunderland), N McCann (Rangers), S Thompson (Dundee United).

Scotland Under-21 squad: Gordon (Hearts), McGregor (Rangers), Soutar (Dundee); G Caldwell (Newcastle), Crainey (Celtic), Doig (Nottm For), Dowie (Rangers), Hammell (Motherwell), Kennedy (Celtic), McCunnie (Dundee Utd); Duff (Dundee Utd), Fletcher (Man Utd), Hughes (Rangers), Kerr (Newcastle), Murray (Hibernian), Pearson (Motherwell), Simmons (Hearts), Stewart (Man Utd); Lynch (Celtic), Mackie (Aberdeen), Maloney (Celtic), McManus (Hibs), O’Connor (Hibs).