Our defence let us down, says Scotland legend Tommy Gemmell

Sep 7 2008 By Euan Mclean And Kevin Mcallion

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SCOTLAND legend Tommy Gemmell accused Scotland's defenders of letting down Craig Gordon at Macedonia's killer goal.

But he reckons the keeper's brilliant performance sent out a clear message in his battle with rival Allan McGregor for the No.1 shirt.

Gemmell believes Gordon's superb display should guarantee his place as an automatic starter for his country.

And he insists the back four should carry the can for "going to sleep" at Macedonia's fifth-minute free-kick.

Gordon made a top drawer save from Goce Sedloski but Ilcho Naumoski reacted faster than the static Scots defenders to convert the rebound.

Gemmell said: "Gordon had two superb reflex saves to keep us in the game. Even at the goal he made a great stop but was let down by his defence.

"They should have followed the shot in but went to sleep.

"It was hard on Gordon because he had done so well and had no time to recover.

"He can feel proud - and it was the perfect reply to all those who suggested McGregor deserves his place."

John Wark reckons his old Ipswich buddies George Burley and Terry Butcher can pick Scotland up - with a vital victory in Iceland in midweek.

Wark played with the duo at Portman Road and claims their winning mentality will rub off.

He said: "Both were looking forward to yesterday's game - so the defeat will hurt.

"There was never going to be many openings so it was a blow to concede a goal so early.

"But George and Terry will pick up the players. They are winners and that will help the squad. If we win in Reykjavik then beat Norway at home we will feel much more positive."

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller says Macedonia showed enough to suggest they will help out Scotland by causing trouble for rivals Norway and Holland.

The Dutch visit the Gradski Stadium in midweek and Miller said: "If Macedonia play like they did against Scotland the other teams could struggle."

But Miller believes it will be almost impossible to qualify if we don't win in Reykjavik.

He said: "The next game is vital. One point from the first two games would not be good.

"It would likely need something special against Holland to have any chance of qualifying."

Former Rangers winger Davie Wilson blamed Burley's team selection for Scotland's shoddy first-half display - insisting tricky Shaun Maloney should have been on from the start.

Wilson said: "Shaun has pace and when he came on with 15 minutes left he really got at the Macedonian defence. He's one of the best wingers Scotland have had for a long time. The Macedonians went with three at the back - perfect for a guy like Maloney to exploit.

"We had a lot of minuses out there. Gordon was brilliant but if you go through the team you struggle for pass marks until you get to James McFadden."

Celtic legend Danny McGrain says the Scots were robbed of a draw by two bad decisions from blunder ref Pavel Kralovec.

He said: "The game was lost on a stupid free-kick.

"It was a soft decision and it wasn't the ref's only error. We had two strong penalty claims turned down within seconds."

Tom Boyd reckons SFA bosses blundered by accepting a tough trip to Macedonia as their opening game.

The ex-Celtic and Motherwell star said: "Going there first really played in to their hands.

"Usually it's better to get a home game in early - not two difficult away trips.

"Now we must win in Iceland - more dropped points would put pressure on our home form."