I haven’t updated this blog in quite a while, so I felt it was time for a fresh post. As with every other international weekend, it’s all about Scotland and as if the performance against Norway on Saturday wasn’t bad enough, Kris Boyd has now decided he will not play for George Burley again.
His decision comes after watching from the bench as the Scots put in a dire performance in the 0-0 draw with the uncapped Chris Iwelumo getting the nod ahead of Boyd as a second half substitute and miss an open goal from 3 yards out.
Not that the result is simply down to Iwelumo, as a goal and win would simply have papered over what was a poor Scottish display.
The team selection and tactics to go with James McFadden up front on his own with James Morrison and Shaun Maloney in support was baffling and within 5 minutes as John Carew threatened for the first time during the afternoon that it was not going to work.
In fairness, Maloney did see plenty of the ball early on but we had nobody in the box to take advantage before Age Hareide changed tactics slightly to have 2 players double up on Maloney, thus nulifying any threat he was posing.
As Norway sat and frustrated Scotland in midfield, high hopeful balls were aimed towards McFadden who continually lost out to the giant centre backs of Kjetil Waehler and Fulham’s Brede Hangeland.
It was obvious Faddy needed someone alongside him to give him help and the loss of Kenny Miller clearly had a detremental effect on the team. However, it meant a chance for either Boyd or Iwelumo, with most observers including myself stating that Boyd, with 7 goals in just 15 caps, should be man to help spearhead the Scottish attack.
However, Burley stuck rigidly to his system until 57 minutes with Scotland only having a Morrison header over and a low ball across the six yard box from the West Brom man with no takers to show for their efforts.
The changes the punters wished for happened and as Morrison was replaced by Steven Fletcher, Burley hooked the deeply frustrated McFadden, to the displeasure of the Tartan Army, in favour of Iwelumo.
One can only wonder what Boyd thought as an untried striker was thrown into such an important game while a proven goalscorer at this level was left on the bench, playing only 26 minutes under the former Hearts boss.
And while Scotland did fashion a few chances, notably the shocking Iwelumo miss below, Norway still had the majority of the chances and had it not been for the heroics of Craig Gordon and poor finishing, notably from Carew, then Norway would’ve deservedly headed home with 3 points.
The Scots midfield, Brown aside, failed to compose themselves on the game and really do miss Barry Ferguson while there was no guile or creativity to break Norway down. Starting with just one up front gave Norway the confidence to go at Scotland, instead of us forcing the pace of the game and going at them with 2 up front.
Burley has continually preached about how he likes the wingers and full backs to bomb on and get crosses into the box. Seems a bit pointless when we don’t have anybody of a physical presence to try and get on the end of them.
But the final straw for Boyd was Burley stating pre-match that Boyd had to “prove himself” and “establish himself in the Rangers team”.
Now, forgive me for perhaps being simple, but is a goal ratio of nearly 1 in 2 games at international level not proving himself that he can play there? And also, if he hasn’t established himself at club level as much as Burley would like, then why has he been picked in the first place?
Iwelumo is not proven in a Scotland shirt; Boyd is. These are facts and while Iwelumo came on, worked hard and did OK apart from his miss, Boyd should’ve at the very least been brought on.
While the timing of his decision smacks of throwing his toys out of the pram, you can sense Boyd’s frustration. I don’t agree with any player deciding to turn their back on their country but I also didn’t agree with Burley’s tactics and team selection on Saturday.
One thing is certain- Burley now has an even bigger job on his hands. Not only to rescue our World Cup dream, but to probably save his job.
To read my match report from Scotland V Norway, click on the following link to www.footballnewsblog.co.uk