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Your support makes all the difference.BEFORE Scotland's opening Group One game last month, the one group Andy Roxburgh trusted to launch them on their way to the United States was the midfield quartet who performed so convincingly in Sweden. Yesterday, with Italy's visit five weeks away and only one point on the board, he was forced to admit to concern over two of their number.
On Wednesday, four months after returning from the European Championships laden with plaudits, Roxburgh's side stumbled to a grim goalless draw with Portugal at Ibrox. The result was another setback to their chances of qualifying for a sixth successive World Cup finals; the effectiveness of Gary McAllister and Brian McClair was a further source of anxiety.
McAllister's international credentials are not in question, but his condition is. For the second game running Roxburgh felt that the Leeds captain's congested schedule had taken its toll. 'Gary looked tired and stressed,' he said. 'He just didn't produce.'
Roxburgh bristled at the suggestion that McAllister would be more effective in the central role he fills for his club, rather than wide on the right. 'It's not to do with where he's playing. Anyway, I use Paul McStay as the creative force in that area. I can't play them both there.'
He added that he had discussed 'the problem' with Howard Wilkinson, and hoped McAllister would be fresher by the time Italy come to Glasgow on 18 November. Leeds face sapping battles against Rangers and at least one Coca- Cola Cup fixture in the interim, so that may be wishful thinking.
McClair, relegated to substitute after the opening defeat in Switzerland, found the announcement of his name booed when he replaced the injured Kevin Gallacher. 'I feel very sorry for Brian,' Roxburgh said. 'There's no doubt it's had a big effect on him. He's nothing like as confident as he is with Manchester United.'
Despite the loss of another point, Roxburgh refused to be downhearted. Italy's defensive fallibility against the Swiss, who gained a 2-2 draw in Cagliari, gave him hope, especially if he is able to call on the badly missed aerial ability of Richard Gough and Dave McPherson, and the pace of Gordon Durie next time.
'Our previous three World Cup qualifying campaigns turned on one big result - the last time it was beating France at Hampden - and I have the same feeling about the Italian match,' Roxburgh said. He felt confident Ibrox's 38,000 capacity would be tested by such a 'glamour event'. Wednesday's turnout, only 22,500, scarcely helped the Scots undermine a disciplined Portuguese rearguard action.
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