International Friendly Preview: Wales - Scotland

Kick-off: Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 15:00 GMT
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

This weekend's match between Wales and Scotland will be tinged with a slight sadness, sadness that they are facing each other at all.

Both these nations would love to be in Ireland's shoes, preparing for the nerve jangling lottery of the World Cup play-offs, rather than playing a low key friendly.

What of course would have been intriguing, had been if these sides recreated their two most famous clashes of the past, and faced off for a World Cup spot.

The Celtic cousins have a bigger rivalry on the rugby pitch than on any football field, however twice they have went head to head to fight over a place at the biggest show on earth.

In 1977, Wales made the mistake of moving their home clash from Wrexham to nearby Anfield, hoping for a larger Welsh support. 

Anfield is of course the home of Liverpool, and at the time was where Wales defender Joey Jones was plying his trade.  He remarked at the time that "It will be the proudest moment of my life to see the Kop full of Welshmen."

However, the famous Tartan Army had other ideas, and flooded down in their thousands.

Scots legend Gordon McQueen commented at the weekend in an interview with the Scottish Sun: "There were Scots everywhere.  Jones must have been devastated.  It was a huge blow to them."

David Ngog was well behind the times in cheating in the Anfield Road penalty box, as Scotland's Joe Jordan handled inside the area with twelve minutes to go - and won his own side a penalty.

The French referee had thought Wales defender Jones had handled the ball, not Jordan, and pointed to the spot.  Don Masson scored the penalty, and as Kenny Dalglish headed in shortly afterwards Welsh hearts were broken and Scotland were on their way to their ill fated trip to Argentina.

The second big clash between the two came in 1985, a night that will forever be tinged with sadness for both nations.

Wales had won at Hampden, and Scotland headed to Ninian Park needing a draw to qualify for Mexico 1986.

Current Manchester City gaffer Mark Hughes gave Wales an early lead and they looked set for their first major finals since 1958, however a controversial penalty nine minutes from time was put away by Davie Cooper and Scotland qualified.

However, celebrations were cut short, and instead the Tartan Army were left in mourning.  Legendary manager Jock Stein had tried to stand up, thinking the full-time whistle had gone.  As he stood he slumped back into the dug-out, suffering a heart attack.

He was rushed into the medical room, but could not be saved, and Scottish football lost perhaps their greatest manager, and any Wales-Scotland game will always be associated with that sad night.

Since then the two have not met in a match as big, despite 24 years passing.

The last time the two did meet - in a friendly at the Millenium Stadium five years ago - Berti Vogts' Scotland went down 4-0 in a thundering defeat, with Robert Earnshaw hitting a hat-trick.

The last time they met on Scottish soil, Wales were also victorious, scoring a success at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park.

FORM GUIDE

Wales

Liechtenstein 0-2 Wales
Finland 2-1 Wales
Wales 1-3 Russia
Montenegro 2-1 Wales (Friendly)
Azerbaijan 0-1 Wales

Scotland

Japan 2-0 Scotland (Friendly)
Scotland 0-1 Holland
Scotland 2-0 Macedonia
Norway 4-0 Scotland
Scotland 2-1 Iceland

TEAM NEWS

Wales

Manager John Toshack this week labelled it a disgrace that his side have no recognised centre forward to face Scotland.

Earnshaw is a doubt, and therefore may miss the chance to repeat his hat-trick of five years ago.  Andy King is also struggling to make it, and could join Craig Bellamy, James Collins, Chris Gunter, Jack Collison, David Vaughan and Simon Davies on the sidelines.

Adam Matthews and Andy Dorman are new call-ups, with the latter turning down the chance to play for Scotland in order to play for his homeland after a FIFA rule change.

Welsh player of the year Ashley Williams is set to skipper the side.

Wales squad: Jason Brown, David Cornell, Wayne Hennessey,
Gareth Bale,Danny Gabbidon, Craig Morgan, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams, Adam Matthews, David Cotterill, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Andy Dorman, Rob Earnshaw, Simon Church, Ched Evans, Jermaine Easter, Sam Vokes

Scotland

Captain Darren Fletcher looks set to recover from injury to lead his country out.  James McFadden, missing from Scotland's last two games, is back in the side.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon though has a broken arm, and is expected to be replaced by Cardiff keeper David Marshall on his home turf. 

Rangers pair Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker have pulled out of the squad too, but them apart George Burley has no new injury worries, though Celtic's Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney have long term injuries.

Scotland squad: Jamie Langfield, David Marshall, Paul Gallacher, Christophe Berra, Gary Caldwell, Steven Caldwell, Danny Fox, Alan Hutton, Stephen McManus, Lee Wallace, Charlie Adam, Don Cowie, Graham Dorrans, Darren Fletcher, Ross McCormack, James McFadden, Barry Robson, Steven Fletcher, Kevin Kyle, Kenny Miller, Steven Naismith, Derek Riordan.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wales - Andy Dorman

The Scotland based hit-man has been in terrific form for St Mirren, and fully deserves an international call-up.  He'll also know all about his opponents.  The attacking midfielder is rated at £1 million by his manager Gus McPherson, and that price will rise if he can do the business on the international stage.

Scotland - Derek Riordan

The Hibernian striker has been in deadly form for the Edinburgh side this season, and has played no small part in their shock title challenge.  Left on the bench in last week's Edinburgh derby, Hibs were toiling before Riordan came on and changed the game, and almost won it.  Look out for his free-kicks too.

Prediction

Wales lack a striker, so they are not expecting goals. 

Scotland have the talismanic James McFadden back, and although his form may be patchy when turning out for Birmingham City, he is the darling of the Tartan Army after some sensational performances.

With a lot of Cardiff based players in the Scotland squad, and a 4,000 strong travelling support, this may feel more like a home game for Scotland.

Unlikely to be a repeat of Wales 4-0 success the last time the two met, this time Scotland look like they have a wee bit more in their locker.

Wales 1-2 Scotland

Andrew Southwick, Goal.com UK