WE AINT DEAD YET !!!!!!!!!!!
Scotland 2-1 Iceland

This was a fixture that grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons following the international life ban for Rangers stars, Alan McGregor and Captain Barry Ferguson.

But let us not forget behind all this we have a World Cup qualifying campaign very much alive, following a moral boosting victory over Iceland at Hampden Park.

The Scots, not surprisingly lost their away fixture to group favourites Holland 3-0 days earlier and their preparations for what was a must win match later on the week was thrown into the chaos.

We had the drinks scandal that questioned the authority of Scotland Manager George Burley, but shamed the two Rangers stars, who were originally sent home, but was later reinstated to the squad but to the bench.

When their names got announced prior to the start of the game, both players would have been wishing that they had stayed at home, with the Scottish fans voicing their displeasure of their antics when their names were mentioned by the announcer.

Even though both Ferguson and McGregor were set to dominate the headlines, there was as still a game to win – and thankfully the Scots managed to stick to the script – just!!!!!

But there was still plenty to talk about and give us plenty of causes for optimism for the future.

The Scots wire minus a number of key players coming into this game, with George Burley having to deep into his reserves, hoping that they would take full advantage of the opportunity.

And it was Cardiff Striker, Ross McCormack and HibsSteven Fletcher netting their first Scotland goals that kept the dream trip to South Africa in 2010 and keep George Burley in one of the highest paying jobs within the UK

It was Alan Hutton, who up until this game had only played 70 mins of reserve football for Spurs following a long layoff through injury, showed no sign of rustiness setting up McCormack to slam a shot into the roof of the net shortly before half time.

Indridi Sigurdsson levelled the scoring when he reacted to a shot against the woodwork from Palmi Palmason.

Fletcher then put the Scots back in front with a close range header and despite soaking up intense pressure and some terrific goal keeping from another comeback kid, Craig, Gordon, the Scots managed to hold on for the three points.

With a record of one win from eight games prior to kick-off, this was a match that George Burley had to win, or he would have been under increase pressure to relinquish the reigns as National Coach.

But the national boss had no intention of going on the defensive naming an attacking side with Kenny Miller, Fletcher and McCormack leading the charge from the front

And it was Fletch that was in touching distance of the goal mouth after 10 minutes but his early shot from the edge of the penalty area came off a defender and finished wide.

Miller then tried his luck with a low, swerving drive but the effort was easily saved by goalkeeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson.

Then in 30 minutes, Fletcher managed to get on to the end of a corner from McCormack but could only send the ball over the crossbar.

The breakthrough came six minutes before the interval and thanks to some great work by the uncatchable Hutton down the far side, driving into the penalty area and slid the ball across goal to McCormack who delivered a text book finish into the top corner of the net from 10 yards.

Despite matching the Scots in terms of physical presence, the visitors were doing nothing in attack until they equalised against the run of play in 54 minutes.

Palmason turned Stephen McManus and sent a shot thundering off the post with Sigurdsson on hand to blaze the rebound back into the net.

The qualification for South Africa was now on a sticky wicket, but the Scots fans were smiling again after the team were given a break when the home side were awarded a dubious corner kick

On delivery, Steve McManus rose highest to power a header into the danger area leaving Fletcher to nod the ball in from six yards.

However there was still time for the visitors to get back into the game and with nothing lose stepped up the pace and tried to throw everything in attack.

And they almost snatched a point in the dying minutes but were denied thanks to so superb goal keeping from Craig Gordon pulling off a sensational double save before Palmason smashed the loose ball high over the target from 14 yards.

Scotland have some respite until August when they face another must win game at Norway, but there will be plenty of things going on in the summer that could play a key role in the final standings of this group as a;; the other sides in Group 9 play twice in June.

Scotland : Gordon, Hutton, McManus, Caldwell, Naysmith, Morrison (Rae 90), Darren Fletcher, Brown, McCormack, Miller, Steven Fletcher (Teale 78).

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Berra, Ferguson, Clarkson, Whittaker.

Goals : McCormack 39, Steven Fletcher 65.

Iceland : Gunnleifsson, Danielsson, Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson, Indridi Sigurdsson (Bjornsson 80), Eiriksson, Steinsson, Aron Gunnarsson (Eggert Jonsson 70), Helguson, Palmason, Gudjohnsen, Smarason.

Subs Not Used: Arason, Gudmundsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Gunnarson, Bjarnason.