James McFadden: We must win next seven games to qualify for World Cup

Sep 7 2008 By Gordon Waddell In Skopje

JAMES McFADDEN last night admitted Scotland's World Cup hopes are already hanging by a thread - and insisted we need to win our seven remaining games to have a crack at South Africa.

George Burley's side made a disastrous start to their Group Nine campaign as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the searing heat of Macedonia yesterday.

Ilcho Naumoski's early strike condemned them to defeat although Scotland should have had a penalty in the second half when Kenny Miller and McFadden were fouled in the box within seconds of each other.

Burley's side now head for Iceland on Wednesday knowing only a win will get them back on track for the finals.

And Birmingham striker McFadden reckons every qualifier is now a must-win.

He said: "It wasn't the start we wanted and we know we have to win the remaining seven games. We deserved to take something from the game but have to pick ourselves up and head for Iceland.

"We created chances despite the heat and were in the game until the end. On another day we might have got something.

"The penalty claim was a stonewaller - I can't say anything else. You expect them to be given at this level of football. Kenny's one just before mine was a really good shout but mine was a certainty."

Burley raised concerns about inexperienced Czech ref Pavel Kralovec before the game and Macedonia'swinner also came from a debatable free-kick.

McFadden said: "The ref could have got more of the big decisions right. It's not for me to say whether or not he should have been in charge but the penalty was a big decision and he got it wrong."

The striker also refused to use the stifling heat and humidity as an excuse for Scotland's defeat.

He said: "We tried to pass the ball and never stopped doing that. On a cooler day conditions would have been easier. The only time I've felt heat like that was on a sunbed.

"But in fairness it was the same for them. It was hard to run and breathe, hard even to swallow.

"Macedonia moved the kick-off time deliberately to suit themselves and it worked.

"Conditions in Iceland will be different - it'll probably be too cold for us there. But we can't allow the weather to dictate how we play."

McFadden is sure Scotland will bounce back and our qualification hopes received a boost last night when Iceland held Norway to a 2-2 draw in Oslo.

A victory over the Icelanders would get us back on track and Faddy claims his partnership with Miller will soon deliver goals.

He said: "We created chances and I couldn't see Macedonia scoring after they had gone in front.

"The goals will come from me and Kenny but today I kept having to track back."