Barry Ferguson

[juffery 0]

I've normally been the first to criticise him, but he was fucking outstanding yesterday. A real 'captains' performance - never gave the ball away, relieved pressure on his defenders, harried the Italians and took his goal well. Superb!

[Whosthedado 1,735]

Yip I actually thought our guys were probably the best performers in the Scotland team. Hutton would have been my MoM closely followed by his Captain

[Gazza_8 233]

Not his biggest fan but he was superb yesterday. All the sheep shaggers and Septic fans would've hated him scoring the goal that may have taken us to Euro 2008.

[ian1964 10,776]

According to the Telegraph,Barry wasn't that good,well not as good as Brown ?

Craig Gordon 7/10

Could do nothing about either of Italy's goals. Has had a wonderful campaign and was again solid despite the slippery conditions. One incredible save from Camoranesi in the build-up to Italy's disallowed goal, which kept Scotland in it.

 

Scotland go down fighting

In pics: Action from the Euro 2008 qualifiers

Scotland player ratings | Scottish fans' forum

Alan Hutton 8/10

Shaky start, but the Rangers right-back was soon bombing forward as is his wont. He gave his opposite number, Gianluca Zambrotta, a torrid time. Desperately unlucky to concede the free-kick which led to Italy's winning goal.

 

David Weir 6/10

An awful start from the veteran defender, winning his 61st cap yesterday, as Luca Toni gave him the slip twice in two minutes. Lack of pace exposed. But went close with two headers from corners, the second cleared off the line by Pirlo.

 

Stephen McManus 7/10

Another who struggled to contain Toni in the early stages, but generally sound in defence. Sent a header wide from McFadden's early cross. Rallied, together with Weir, and kept Toni very quiet in the second half.

 

Gary Naysmith 6/10

Tried to get forward but didn't find much joy down Scotland's left. One excellent recovery tackle on Luca Toni before he was booked for a foul on the Italian striker.

 

Paul Hartley 6/10

Quiet game, but that was to be expected given his job on the day. Constantly breaking up Italian attacks but offered little in possession of the ball and gave away a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area.

 

Scott Brown 7/10

The pick of Scotland's midfield. Always on the edge in terms of his aggression, but drove his side on and showed the Italians no respect. Looked utterly dejected when substituted for Miller.

 

Darren Fletcher 5/10

Gave the ball away far too often. There was a question mark over his inclusion after his performance in Georgia and he didn't do much to reassure the detractors. Big-match experience meant he stayed on when McLeish went 4-4-2.

 

Barry Ferguson 6/10

Was half a yard offside in scoring his first international goal in five years, but no one inside Hampden cared a jot. Until then Scotland's captain had had a quiet game, struggling to impose himself on proceedings.

 

Lee McCulloch 6/10

Shot blocked in the first half was one of Scotland's few genuine chances. Scrapped for everything, but not much happening on his flank. Had a big hand in Scotland's goal, though, when his near-range stab was parried by Buffon.

 

James McFadden 6/10

The tactic of playing the Everton man on his own up front backfired after just 70 seconds. Looked isolated and frustrated until Miller's introduction. Wonderful chance to win game from Miller's pass across goal, but shot wide.

 

Subs:

Kenny Miller (for Brown 74). Laid the ball on a plate for McFadden. Otherwise quiet.

Kris Boyd (for McCulloch 90) - no time to impress.

[juffery 0]

Hmm and Mcmanus better than Weir. Not from where I was sitting!

[pete 2,499]

Hartley was the worst player on the pitch. I was screaming for Eck to bring on a forward to replace him. He was a waste of space. Why he brought Brown off i will never understand.

[Gribz 938]

I thought Hutton was the main stand out.

 

Fletcher and Brown werent that great for me but it should have been Hartley or Fletcher who came off rather than Brown.

 

I think the wet conditions played its part and made it more tricky for us. People were happy it was raining with typical scottish weather but it pisses down in Italy aswell. I think we would have won if it was a dry pitch.

[nokiss 0]

For any scot(or any other nationality) who didn't think that Hutton and Fergie were our two best players are having their opinions clouded by club colours. For me personally, that's the level of performance i expect from two top quality players.

 

On the other side(the far side) of the footballing spectrum, there's Darren Fletcher. He is f*****g dreadful. How a player who can't get a sniff of a game for his club side( manure or not ) can hold down a starting spot for Scotland and against the world champions is way beyond me.

 

It was bad enough that we played 4-5-1, but to have that well over-rated lump of wid in the team begs belief. :uzi: