McFadden misfires but Vogts still takes heart

14 April 2012

Scotland manager Berti Vogts insisted he was pleased by his side's performance in Copenhagen despite a fourth consecutive defeat.

Denmark substitute Ebbe Sand headed the only goal after an hour of an entertaining game which was dominated by the hosts.

The Scots did create chances but Everton striker James McFadden wasted the best of them with a weak shot at Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen.

Vogts said: 'This match gives me and the Scottish fans a lot of hope. There was only one problem for me - James must score.'

McFadden, 21, had been paired with Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle, who had set up that excellent equalising chance.

Vogts added: 'It is a good partnership. I have a lot of options and that is important for the World Cup qualifiers.'

Those begin at the start of next season and the Scots must get past Italy and Norway if they are to reach the finals in 2006.

Vogts indicated that he will persevere with the talented but still inexperienced McFadden. He said: 'That is what we have to learn. When we play the qualifiers with Norway and Italy, he must score. Maybe we will have only one chance, so he must score.

'We had a very young team but that's the way forward for Scotland. My boys played very well. It was a very good lesson. It was an international match, not a friendly. I saw a lot of very positive things. There was only one big chance for the Danes but they scored from it, that was the problem.'

Norwich's Gary Holt and fellow midfielder Colin Cameron of Wolves both suffered injuries and Vogts said: 'Gary needed three stitches in the dressing room and I think he cannot play on Saturday. It's the same for Colin. That is bad for their clubs but all my players played with heart and emotion and that is what we need.'

Denmark manager Morten Olsen said: 'Scotland have very good spirit and they were fighting. We knew that Scottish teams always fight.

'They had some chances, too, although we dominated the game and showed why we are the team that is going to the Euro 2004 finals.'

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McFadden misfires but Vogts still takes heart

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