Scots must be prepared to double efforts against Dutch

IF SCOTLAND are to experience the crackling atmospheres of stadia in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in 2010, they must first survive the footballing hotbeds of Europe. Next year's journeys across the North Sea to Norway and Holland were always potentially hazardous, but they assume greater significance following the events of Saturday afternoon.

Drawing with Norway in Glasgow damaged George Burley's hopes of guiding the nation out of Group 9. That much is not in doubt. The problem, however, is not irreparable with five qualification matches remaining. As well as defeating both Iceland and Macedonia at Hampden Park next year, results from visits to the group's more illustrious nations will be critical. Then comes the final act when Holland arrive for Scotland's last, and most likely pivotal, match of the section with a play-off place looking the best option.

Defensive prudence is essential for any successful international side and, having kept Norway out at home, the rather more arduous task of doing so away lies in wait. That's before Holland, Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy et al, rate a mention. Craig Gordon and his cohorts must repel some of the world's most incisive strikers during the next 11 months or Scotland will find their path to South Africa blocked.

The former Hearts goalkeeper was as reliable as ever at the weekend, beating away more than one John Carew effort and generally defying Norway's attacking thrusts. He was ably backed up by Gary Caldwell, a player who seems to grow in stature with each international outing after flattering to deceive for so long.

Stephen McManus will be free of suspension next March when Scotland visit Holland and it is safe to assume that Tottenham's Alan Hutton, barring a setback, will have recovered from long-term injury. Add the capabilities of those two to the midfield protection captain Barry Ferguson should offer, and the case for the defence suddenly becomes infinitely stronger.

Perhaps it's this which accords Gordon his confidence. The Sunderland goalkeeper sounded utterly comfortable when he spoke to the Evening News about Scotland's qualification prospects and what tasks lie ahead on foreign shores.

"We've done it before, gone away to difficult venues and kept clean sheets, and I'm sure we can do it again. It'll be important that we do," he said. "Saturday wasn't too bad a day for me, I had a few decent saves and a couple of blocks. Some of them were vital for us. It was quite an open game but one that we just didn't manage to win. Now you look to take that on to the rest of the games in the section."

Burley has engineered a reputation for attacking football but Saturday saw him employ a bizarre formation with just James McFadden up front. Perhaps it's just as well his defence as Scotland manager appears fairly convincing. Norway will always be one of Europe's most physical forces, particularly with the inimitable Carew leading their attack but, despite several opportunities at Hampden, they could not score.

"There were special plans in place for their aerial threat and at the end of the day we've coped with it because we didn't concede," said Gordon. "They are going to put the ball in good areas, they have good delivery and players who can provide good crosses for Carew and others. You also have Jon Arne Riise taking long throws from both sides so the ball is going to be bouncing round your box a lot and we had to deal with that.

"We gave them a few chances but managed to stop them scoring. Carew was coming through the centre at me at one point in the first half but we had a few guys coming across to make tackles. In fact, that chance should have resulted in a bye kick even though he got a corner for it.

"There were a few decisions in the game that went the opposite way, including the one near the end when Gary Caldwell made a great block to deflect one over the bar from Carew and the referee gave a bye kick for that as well. There were a few wrong decisions over the course of the 90 minutes but they probably evened themselves out."

The cursing of Chris Iwelumo will still be taking place among certain Tartan Army factions, however Gordon is nonplussed about the failure to score. "We had chances, so did Norway, so we've both missed an opportunity to get three points," he said. "We were just unfortunate not to put one away."

Whatever Scotland may lack in attack, they make up for with a miserly defence underpinned by Gordon. It must be hoped that this, and the occasional priceless away goal, is sufficient to secure at least a play-off place in Group 9.