I’m back with another chapter from my Championship Manager 99/00 adventure with the Scotland national team. I’ll admit it’s still a little strange as a Londoner to be managing our neighbours north of the border, but I’m really getting sucked into this career now.
Of course, our recent exploits at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan have played a big part in settling me in – and answering my biggest critics. I won’t spoil anything in this intro, but if you haven’t yet caught up with the story (or you just want to relive our Asian journey), you can read Part 4 right here.
In today’s post, I’ll be playing through the first half of our Euro 2004 qualifying campaign. Again, no spoilers, but excitement levels are about to kick up a notch…
SEPTEMBER 2002
What a summer it’s been for Scottish football! Not only did I take Scotland past the group phase of a major tournament for the first time, but we also reached the World Cup Quarter Finals, eventually falling bravely to Yugoslavia.
Now, a new challenge begins – qualification for the next European Championship in Portugal. Our preliminary pool for Euro 2004 was drawn earlier this year, and here’s what lies ahead:
It was bound to happen at some point, but now the Tartan Army – and their English manager – must take on the Auld Enemy. Despite a disastrous World Cup, Kevin Keegan remains in charge of England, who are slight favourites to win Group 8.
Though the great Hristo Stoichkov has long retired, Bulgaria will also provide strong opposition. We’ve been reunited with Macedonia after twice beating them in the World Cup qualifiers, while minnows Armenia complete the group.
Our first match would be against Macedonia at Hampden Park. Before I reveal my squad, it’s time to say goodbye to some familiar faces.
John Collins (aged 34) had reached the end of the line, as had 36-year-old defensive stalwarts Colin Hendry and Tom Boyd. Hendry had left Rangers for Cambridge United, while ex-Celtic skipper Boyd had opted to wind down his career at Hearts… of Oak… in Ghana. As you do.
Leicester defender Matt Elliott (33) was likely finished as well, and likewise Jon Gould (34), who’d been replaced as Celtic’s first-choice keeper by new arrival Robert Douglas. They only went and nicked him off Aberdeen on a free, those crafty Glaswegians…
There would be no recall for Lee McCulloch either – at least not for the time being. The 24-year-old had left Motherwell on a free transfer and was still without a club by the time I announced who was in my plans for Macedonia:
GOALKEEPERS: Alan Combe, Robert Douglas, Neil Sullivan
DEFENDERS: Russell Anderson, Kevin James, Brian McAllister, Jackie McNamara, Gary Naysmith, Paul Rudden, David Weir, Stephen Wright
MIDFIELDERS: Iain Anderson, Barry Ferguson, Scot Gemmill, Willie Howie, Eoin Jess, Allan Johnston, Paul Lambert, Neil McCann, Mark McCormick, Jamie McKenzie, Marvyn Wilson
FORWARDS: Marc Anthony, Mark Burchill, Michael Craig, Paul Dalglish
I recalled several players who’d featured in previous squads. 31-year-old Wright – who was last capped nine years ago – had put in some strong Premiership performances at right-back for Bradford. Dalglish’s international exile hadn’t been quite so long, but King Kenny’s offspring was back after a promising start with new club Chelsea.
I also had four uncapped players in my squad. Dundee United goalkeeper Combe had been on the fringes before, but this was St Mirren centre-back Rudden’s first senior call-up. The strong-tackling 22-year-old had previously been captain of my Under-21s side.
McCormick scored 10 goals for Premiership newcomers Preston last season, and the tireless attacking midfielder had begun this campaign with three. Another midfielder hoping to win his first Scotland cap was Aberdeen’s resilient anchor man Wilson, aged 28.
SCOTLAND 4-0 MACEDONIA (Euro 2004 Qualifying – Group 8, Match 1)
Howie had cost Leicester £7.25million when he moved from Wimbledon in the summer – and he showed just why with an unbelievable first-half display. As well as scoring a couple of goals assisted by Johnston, the 20-year-old wonderkid whipped in a corner that James fired home.
Burchill couldn’t join them on the scoresheet in the second half, hitting the bar from a cross by debutant McCormick. It was a better afternoon’s work for the Marks’ near-namesake Anthony, who came off the bench to score his 16th goal in 16 caps and complete the rout!
The other group opener saw England get off to the worst possible start in Bulgaria, losing to an 82nd-minute penalty from Gonzo (that’s Georgi Ivanov, not the muppet). I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…
OCTOBER 2002
As it happened, our next two qualifiers were against our rivals. The Tartan Army would invade Wembley on 12 October, four days before returning home to take on Bulgaria.
For some reason, I called up three right-backs and only one proper left-back for the last game. The sole leftie was Naysmith, who didn’t play against Macedonia due to the risk of suspension – but a groin injury meant Gary wouldn’t face England or Bulgaria anyway. Typical.
With a groin strain also sidelining right-flanker McNamara, I redressed the full-back balance by recalling Tottenham’s Dominic Matteo and Dundee United’s Tony Smith. Injuries had also ruled out McCormick and Anthony, so Portsmouth midfielder Don Hutchison returned, and 27-year-old St Johnstone striker Kevin Thomas got his first call-up.
Before the proper Battle of Britain got underway, the Under-21s clashed in Huddersfield. Morton defender Paul McDonald headed us into an early lead, but England’s right wing-back Byron Bubb levelled just before half-time as a close contest finished 1-1.
As far as the senior teams were concerned, they could not have been more evenly-matched. We were up to 7th in the world rankings – just one place behind England, whose stock had fallen so far lately that Keegan was now giving caps to Paul Kitson and Robbie Stockdale.
It was all to play for at Wembley… or at least I thought it was.
ENGLAND 4-0 SCOTLAND (Euro 2004 Qualifying – Group 8, Match 2)
Remind me never to pick Stephen Wright again. A guy who’d peaked in 1993 showed he was as relevant in the 21st century as Mr Blobby when, after just 11 minutes, he comically deflected an Andy Cole shot past Sullivan and into our net. That set the tone for an unmitigated Scottish disaster.
20 minutes later, Sullivan found himself one-on-one with England’s right-winger. Neil was probably thinking, “It’s only Ray Parlour”, as the Romford Pelé poked the ball through his legs for 2-0.
That was Parlour’s first England goal, and the Liverpool – yes, Liverpool – midfielder doubled his tally midway through the second half. Our humiliation ended with debutant left-back Craig Harrison – a UEFA Cup winner with Sunderland – powering a 90th-minute free-kick past our hapless goalkeeper. It was almost as if Neil Sullivan was actually English!
That didn’t bode well for our meeting with Bulgaria, especially now that Burchill was out with a thigh strain. Fortunately, our leading scorer Anthony’s groin had healed enough that he could take Burchill’s place in the squad.
SCOTLAND 4-0 BULGARIA (Euro 2004 Qualifying – Group 8, Match 3)
I see we’re dealing exclusively in 4-0s now. Not that I’m complaining, mind!
Captain James began the Bulgarian demolition job in the sixth minute, converting from a Jess free-kick. Prince Paul of Dalglish then stepped up to ferociously score his first Scotland goal in the 33rd minute and leave us in a comfortable position at the break.
A disastrous goal kick from Bulgaria’s Dimitar Ivankov sent us 3-0 up on 76 minutes. Johnston intercepted it with a header to Dalglish, who wrapped up his brace before a born-again Ferguson completed the rout. Meanwhile, Douglas staked a strong claim to replace Sullivan as number 1 by keeping a clean sheet.
NOVEMBER 2002
Our final match of 2002 was a home friendly against an Australia side who’d barely played together since losing a World Cup play-off to China last year.
I made a whole host of changes for this match. Ferguson’s groin had played up at Real Madrid, so he was ruled out through injury, along with Gemmill, Jess and Rudden. Thomas got the axe, and Wright was thrown into the Scotland scrapheap, never to be selected again.
Celtic duo Burchill and McNamara had returned to full fitness so they were in, along with a bunch of less experienced internationals. McCormick would have the opportunity to add to his solitary cap, as would Huddersfield midfielder Craig Callaghan and Ipswich defender Peter Handyside. Joining them was the first ‘regen’ to break into my senior squad.
Michael Balfour broke into the Ipswich side when he was just 16. It had never been easy going for this strong and intelligent midfielder (who sometimes played up front), but now he was starting to mature and improve significantly. Balfour and Combe would make their Tartan Army debuts against the Socceroos.
SCOTLAND 2-0 AUSTRALIA (Friendly)
A frustrating first half saw us fail to break through an Australia team ranked outside the world’s top 50. In fairness to our attackers, Aussie goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was playing like he was on drugs, so it would take something special to beat him.
Fortunately, Burchill came up with the goods, half-volleying Howie’s lofted ball into the net ten minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, Fiorentina midfielder Paul Okon twisted Burchill’s knee not long afterwards. Strike partner Craig picked up the slack by scoring his first Scotland goal on his lucky seventh cap, thanks to a great assist from new boy Balfour.
MARCH 2003
So, we’re in a new year, and Lee McCulloch’s found a new club at last. So let’s see where the joint-top Scottish goalscorer in last season’s SPL has wound up…
As ever, the new year began with the Club World Championship. The trophy remained in Italian hands, as Inter beat last year’s runners-up Barcelona 2-0 after goals from Ronaldo and Benoît Cauet. There was more heartache for Barça in March, when a horrific injury forced Giovanni Van Bronckhorst into early retirement aged just 28.
Celtic and Rangers were squabbling over the Scottish championship for the 76th year in a row. At least there was a title race involving more than two teams in England, where Manchester United’s winning run was under serious threat. Charlton and Coventry had each enjoyed spells at the top, but now it was Leeds who were… erm, leading.
On the subject of Man Utd, there was a new Scot on the block at Old Trafford – and his name was Steven Hammell. After some impressvive performances for Middlesbrough, Alex Ferguson had paid £10.5million for the 20-year-old Glaswegian left-back. In his first six matches for the Red Devils, Hammell scored three goals and averaged 8.17.
Hammell had been in my Under-21s team for a while, but his rapid Premiership progress had prompted me to promote him to the senior side. It looked inevitable that he would make his Scotland debut in Yerevan against Armenia. Just one small problem.
That’s rotten luck. It meant another comeback for Matteo, who was having to keep his legs intact with sticky tape as he tried to avoid relegation with a Tottenham side who had recently sacked John Barnes. I bet you regret leaving Celtic now, eh, John?
25-year-old Motherwell midfielder Jamie Buchan earned his first cap, as did a patient Rudden. Ferguson and Gemmill also returned, and their experience would be especially handy with Lambert suspended. Injuries ruled out Handyside, McKenzie and Smith, while Balfour returned to the Under-21s, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Armenian kids.
Armenia had been beaten 3-1 by Bulgaria in February, and victory over the rock-bottom Havakakan would actually lift us to the top of the group. That was because England had somehow only drawn 0-0 at Wembley against Macedonia – a team ranked 122nd in the world by FIFA!
ARMENIA 0-2 SCOTLAND (Euro 2004 Qualifying – Group 8, Match 4)
Armenia were ranked 106th, but they put up a good fight and only went down to a couple of impressive finishes from Scotland’s top two scorers. Burchill had scored 15 goals in 14 league games for Celtic, and the in-form youngster smashed in a square ball from Old Firm rival McCann after just 12 minutes.
10 minutes into the second half, Anthony got his name on the scoresheet. Barely 48 hours after completing an £11.25million transfer from Motherwell to Rangers, the man who’d netted 16 SPL goals this season got the 17th of his international career. Excellent midfield play from Fergie and Howie sent Marc through on goal, and the rest was history.
At the other end, it was a quiet day for Douglas, who donned the captain’s armband for the first time, as James was nursing a sore jaw. Speaking of sore…
We’re nothing if not entertaining here at Hampden, that’s for sure!
Be sure to come back on Friday, when the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign concludes. With only two points separating us from 3rd-placed England, it’s still anyone’s guess as to whether we’ll be playing in Portugal next summer!
Until next time, thanks for reading.
Fuller FM 
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