Scotland Held By Ten-Men Northern Ireland

Call-offs forced Scotland boss George Burley to start two of his defensive replacements - veterans David Weir and Graham Alexander - at Hampden on Wednesday.

Rangers' Kevin Thomson won his first cap from the start, with West brom winger James Morrison making his second appearance.

First Half

The early stages were largely bogged down in midfield and Thomson was forced into thumping for goal from long range.

Birmingham ace James McFadden was busy from the off and almost bullied his way through a tentative Northern Irish defence.

In fact, McFadden was the most inspired player on the pitch during the opening period and had a couple of decent chances in quick succession midway through the half. He was close to laying his forehead on a deep cross, before controlling well and forcing Maik Taylor to smother as he prodded for goal minutes later.

Brave Chris Baird also blocked a Faddy effort as the hosts remained on the front foot.

However, Northern Ireland were dangerous on the break. Martin Paterson's cross was troublesome, but the experienced Alexander was able to thump clear.

It wasn't a game to get the pulse racing at the break, but the drama was yet to come.

Second Half

Sub Barry Robson gave the Scots a different dimension after the interval and went close with a fizzing drive.

Kris Commons and Darren Barr won their first caps as Burley continued to assess his pool of available players and Falkirk defender Barr looked particularly eager to impress.

The game was being played at a better tempo now and a couple of minutes of madness would take the contest beyond the realms of a 'friendly'.

Northern Ireland starlet Ryan McGivern was shown a second yellow after fouling bullish maestro Scott Brown. The dismissed 18-year-old won't forget his forst cap in a hurry.

Buoyed, Brown then teed up McFadden after a typically swashbuckling run, but the striker couldn't bend his shot round club team-mate Taylor.

Two minutes after going down to ten men, though, Norn Iron would send the visiting Green and White army into raptures by winning a penalty. Dundee United man Warren Feeney surged through on goal and replacement goalie Allan McGregor came out to meet him. However, the Rangers man brought down Feeney and the ref pointed to the spot. Prolific Healy stepped up, but McGregor made a great stop to atone for his error.

The let-off served as a wake-up call for the Scots and they pushed forward again. First, Taylor saved debutant Barr's header well after a Robson cross.

Then, the Tartan Army demanded their own penalty when Jonny Evans appeared to handle in the box.

Finally, McFadden let another opportunity slip as the inspired Taylor repelled his close-range effort on the spin after a powerful Barr flick-on.

Thus it finished and Scotland still haven't won a home friendly in 12 years.

and your point is?

that scotland are worse than england and basically they are shit. lol

I couldnt have said it any better eezer.