Scotland: Man By Man

Oct 12 2008 By Gavin Berry

CRAIG GORDON 7

THE busier of the two keepers and one crucial save late on from Steffen Iversen showed why he's the undisputed Scotland No.1. Hadn't been seriously tested before that but did what he had to when called upon. Made a comfortable save from John Carew in the first half.

KIRK BROADFOOT 6

STILL on an international high from his Scotland debut goal against Iceland in the last qualifier and was never likely to match up to that night in Reykavik. Bit of a nervy start yesterday from the Rangers full-back but he quickly settled with a couple of decent deliveries into the box and was solid defensively.

GARY CALDWELL 6

THE central defender is in good form for Celtic but was tested by Aston Villa frontman Carew who was Norway's biggest danger. The towering striker turned him easily in the first half and later beat him for pace to get a shot in. Thankfully for the stopper he didn't pay the price as Norway fired a blank.

DAVID WEIR 7

IT was always going to be tough against Norway's strikeforce but even at age 39 the experienced stopper showed he has what it takes to hold his own at international level. Survived a penalty claim when he looked to have held Carew in the box but made a few crucial tackles on the same player.

GARY NAYSMITH 7

SHOULD have had a goal assist to show for his performance after the Sheffield United man set up sub Chris Iwelumo for the chance he somehow missed. Enjoyed a good afternoon at left-back, including a crucial challenge on Carew early on to deny the big striker a certain goal.

SCOTT BROWN 8

ONCE again showed how well he can perform the holding role with a performance that proved why George Burley deploys him there. Brown's display against Iceland rubber-stamped his place for this game and he repeated that with another fine blend of defence, attack and plenty of support.

DARREN FLETCHER 5

HANDED the skipper's armband in the absence of suspended Stephen McManus but Tartan Army footsoldiers still expect a lot more from the Manchester United man. Fletch was winning his 40th cap but failed to impose himself or create enough in the Scottish engine room.

BARRY ROBSON 6

QUIET first half for the Celtic star but picked up after the break with a driving run that brought a Norway booking and a snap-shot saved by Jon Knudsen. Tough task on the right hand side of midfield up against the experience and class of former Liverpool ace John Arne Riise.

JAMES MORRISON.5

COULD have been dream competitive debut if West Brom man's header before half-time had been on target but it went just over. Darlington-born player never got a chance to use his blistering pace and really hurt the Norway backline. No surprise when subbed early in second half.

SHAUN MALONEY 7

THE Norwegian players would have done well to listen to the warning from big Carew about his former Aston Villa team-mate who enjoyed a lively first half. And while the Celtic winger didn't get as much joy down the left after the restart he always looked a threat and saw a shot go just wide.

JAMES McFADDEN 5

HIS international career has often been the stuff of dreams but this is a game he'll want to forget after being subbed early in the second half. The Birmingham man could argue he got little support as the lone frontman on a difficult afternoon when he got no change out of a solid defence.

SUBS

STEVEN FLETCHER (3), the Hibs striker replaced James Morrison in 56 minutes but found it difficult to make an impact. CHRIS IWELUMO (2) came on for James McFadden just before the hour and spectacularly blew the chance to become an instant international hero with a glaring miss. The Wolves frontman had a simple tap-in three yards out but somehow fired the ball wide.