Gaz Hungry For Ice Screamer

Sep 7 2008 By Gordon Waddell

World Cup

GARY NAYSMITH'S one goal for Scotland saved a manager's skin in a qualifying campaign that hit the rocks on day one.

Now he's hoping a return to the scene of his glory moment in Reykjavik can rocket George Burley in to the hearts of the nation.

The Sheffield United full-back scored the second in a 2-0 win over Iceland in 2002 that bailed Berti Vogts from the grubber in the wake of a disastrous 2-2 draw with the Faroes.

It was the launchpad to a run that took the country to the play-offs for Euro 2004.

And the 42-times capped star admitted: "We were under pressure after the Faroes game, where I didn't play. We had more or less to go to Iceland and win.

"Christian Dailly scored early on from my corner. Then I netted and we were in control.

"Hopefully things will work out like that again. It was a good feeling that we handled the pressure and got the right result.

"It turned the corner a bit for Berti because we eventually went on to make the play-offs."

It was a special goal for Naysmith - not least the fact it came with his right foot and from central midfield. He laughed: "Jackie McNamara went off and we didn't really have many other options. I had played there at Everton so it was not totally new - although I don't know if Berti knew that! He used a few players in strange positions but luckily the experiment worked!"

Naysmith (right) added: "I got more chance to go forward and score. I don't get many and that's definitely the best I've hit with my right."

The squad jet back out on Tuesday morning and despite criticism of the travel plans Naysmith insists the boss has got it spot on.

He said: "People say we should have gone to Macedonia earlier then straight to Iceland but players want to be away the least amount of time possible. The boys got home on the Saturday night and that helps everyone relax."