Saturday, September 4, 2010

Scotland need home wins - Brown

Scotland midfielder Scott Brown shields the ball from Saul Mikoliunas
Brown thought Scotland were unlucky not to win in Kaunas

Scott Brown believes victories at home are paramount after Scotland opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a goalless draw in Lithuania.

"We need to win our home games," the midfielder told BBC Scotland. "That's the main thing.

"Away from home we have got to try and nick a few points, maybe get a win here or there.

"We're enjoying playing and looking forward to the future. The players are comfortable with the formation."

Scotland are at home to lowly Liechtenstein on Tuesday and face a tricky double-header with Czech Republic (away) and Spain (home) next month.

Spain top the section following a 4-0 win in Liechtenstein, while the Czechs get their first taste of the action at home to Lithuania on Tuesday.

Reflecting on Friday's frustrating draw in Kaunas, Celtic skipper Brown said: "I thought we were unlucky. We created a few chances but lacked that killer edge.

"We stuck to our game-plan but they made a lot of free kicks, trying to stop us. The referee is there to protect us and I think he needs to do a better job because they got away with a few free kicks, with nothing said. I made one tackle and got booked.

We know we can do better on the ball and we can definitely create more

Kenny Miller
Scotland striker

"We came looking to win, obviously, but we'll take a point away from home.

"Our away form has not been the best, to be honest, and one point is better than none, that's for sure."

Steven Naismith, who admitted to being surprised at his selection wide on the left in midfield, was also satisfied to take a point from the opening match.

"On the positive side, you have to look at the defence, we were solid at the back and going forward we did create good chances," said the Rangers forward.

"For the first game of the qualifying campaign, having not kept a clean-sheet (away from home) in three years, I think you've got to take this as a good base to build on.

"I'm sure it will be a much more attacking performance on Tuesday, with the home crowd behind us."

Veteran defender David Weir was more circumspect in his assessment of the stalemate with Lithuania.

"We were the dominant team, we were putting more into it and trying to win the game," the Rangers captain told BBC Scotland

"A 0-0 is the next best thing to winning but obviously we're disappointed."

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Asked if thought, Lithuania were capable of taking points off Spain and the Czechs, he replied; "I'd be surprised. Those teams have quality players that will probably have that wee edge.

"But we have quality players and we couldn't do it, so who's to say they will.

"We have to win the next game. That won't be easy. Liechtenstein won't roll over and give us the points. Then we'll see what develops in the group."

Kenny Miller, who led the Scottish attack, only had one clear sight of goal and his second half header was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas.

"I actually enjoyed that," he said afterwards. "A lot of times you can get isolated playing one up away from home.

"But any time the ball was coming up to me, I had Barry Robson, Steven Naismith, Darren Fletcher or Scott Brown making a run off me.

"That made the job a lot easier and I thought we played well. We're just disappointed not to get three points.

"The manager was reasonably happy with the performance but we know we can do better on the ball and we can definitely create more.

"We didn't have any great chances and if you're going to win games you have to create more than one or two. We got into good areas but the final ball wasn't quite there."

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