WHOEVER arranged tonight’s friendly must have been away with the Faroes – but it’s here now and Scotland must get on with it.
Craig Levein will be forced to field a shadow side at Pittodrie but those who line up will be expected to beat one of world football’s minnows.
However, after the loss of nine players – plus five others who turned down a call – and the memory of the Liechtenstein escape still fresh in everyone’s minds we might struggle to win.
Levein still has some shining lights and has handed debuts to Liverpool defender Danny Wilson and Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan.
Derby County wideman Kris Commons, whose recent displays have seen him linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, starts under Levein for the first time.
Commons has shown flashes of genius in dark blue but not the consistency he seems to have found at club level this season with boss Nigel Clough raving about his man.
He has netted 10 goals this season and could terrorise the Faroes. I reckon he's worth a risk at 8-1 with Ladbrokes to break the deadlock.
Commons is 7-4 with bet365 to net at any time.
Hearts star Kevin Kyle, out to banish the ghosts of that 2-2 horror under Berti Vogts, is 4-1 favourite with Ladbrokes but isn’t a starter.
Up front Levein goes with Celtic's Shaun Maloney, whose display at St Mirren on Sunday was described by Neil Lennon as world class, and he 6-1 with Skybet. He will be partnered by QPR’s Jamie Mackie, 9-2 at bet365, but a players who is suffering a bit of a goal drought.
Dundee United’s David Goodwillie, expected to come on in the second half, is 4-5 with Hills to score at any time in a Scotland success.
Colin Stein was the last player to nab a hat-trick for Scotland with four against Cyprus in 1969. Any Scot to hit a treble tonight is 5-1 with Hills.
Scotland are a biggest 1-9 with Chandler but would you back them at that price? The draw is 9-1 at Hills with Brian Kerr’s men 33-1 with Coral.
Levein's side beat Liechtenstein 2-1 after trailing and I can see Scotland winning by the same score or 2-0. Both teams to score pays 2-1 with bet365 and no is 4-9 (Hills).
Under 3.5 goals is likely and it's 4-7 at Paddy Power if you’re looking at those sort of scores.
Coral go HT draw/FT Scotland 9-2 and it’s HT Faroes/FT Scotland at 50-1 with the same firm. If you have faith in Levein’s men you’ll be on Scotland/ Scotland at 4-9 with Ladbrokes.
On the handicaps Scotland are a best 2-5 with Blue Square minus one and 11-10 with Paddy Power minus two. Normally, you’d be looking at a comfortable win and Hills go Scotland minus three 16-5, minus four 7-1 and minus five 16-1.
Scotland have won their previous four home games with the Faroes and scored an average of four. Scotland are 3-1 with Hills to score five or more.
A repeat of 2-2 in Toftir returns 50-1 with McBookie.com who go 8-1 tonight’s game will be Levein’s last game in charge of Scotland. It might be but only if he loses.
Scotland are 4-6 with bet365 to be the top-scoring UK/Ireland team during midweek. It's 9-2 England, 11-2 Republic of Ireland and 11-2 Northern Ireland.
SUPER SINGLE
- HT draw/FT Scotland (9-2, Coral)
BONKERS BET
- Scotland 2, Faroes 0 (6-1, Chandler)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
