Stan by me, Scots can still do it

Sep 7 2008 By Euan Mclean

GORAN STANIC still reckons Scotland are favourites to grab a play-off place ahead of Macedonia despite watching his countryman draw first blood in scorching Skopje.

The East Fife veteran managed to find a neutral venue - a Spanish friend's house in Kirkcaldy - to watch yesterday's game and was delighted to see Macedonia get their Group Nine campaign off to a flyer.

But despite being less than impressed by Scotland's limp first-half performance and manager George Burley's tactics, the former Macedonia internationalist is still tipping the Scots as favourites to grab second place in the group behind Holland.

Stanic, 36, said: "I am happy. This was a fantastic start for my country - but I still believe Scotland are favourites to take second place.

"Remember they almost split Italy and France in their Euro 2008 qualifying group last year.

"That track record tells me Macedonia must improve to have a hope of finishing above them.

"Still this was a fantastic win for us, especially with Holland coming to Skopje on Wednesday.

"If we had not taken three points from one of our first two games at home our campaign would have been dead from the start.

"Like Scotland, we said at the outsetwe would be happy with four points from our opening two games - but the Dutch will attack a lot more than the Scots did.

"Defeat is not such a disaster for Scotland as this was an away match.

"After their showing in the second half they will be confident of beating Macedonia at Hampden.

"This is only the start and with the quality in this group I'm sure all of the teams will drop points in the months to come."

While Stanic is still talking up Scotland's chances he admits to having grave reservations about the tactics George Burley used in a first half completely dominated by the home side.

He added: "When the two wingers Kris Commons and Shaun Maloney came on, Scotland were much better. I am surprised they left it so late to do that.

"If you're playing against a team with three at the back it is important to play with a lot of width and get men in behind the defence.

"Yet for a long time Scotland did not do that. They really struggled to break down the defence or create enough chances."

Many in the Tartan Army are blaming the referee for the defeat.

Pavel Kralovec awarded a soft free-kick that led to the goal and snubbed two penalty claims in the second half - but Stanic reckons the Scots were LUCKY not to concede a spot-kick before half-time.

He said: "You talk of penalties but we should have had one in the first half when Craig Gordon brought down Goran Maznov. There was definite contact.

"I thought the foul on James McFadden was a clear penalty too, so we're even!

"I was impressed by Gordon though. He was clearly man of the match and kept his team in it with some fantastic saves."