Craig Levein's highs and lows as Scotland manager

 

Pa
Tuesday 06 November 2012 05:56 EST
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Tartan trouble: Craig Levein during Scotland's 2-1 defeat in Cardiff. After the match he blamed the officials
Tartan trouble: Craig Levein during Scotland's 2-1 defeat in Cardiff. After the match he blamed the officials (Reuters)

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Craig Levein has left his role as Scotland manager. Here Press Association Sport looks at his highs and lows in the job.

HIGHS

March 2010: In his first match as manager, the former Dundee United boss oversees Scotland's first friendly win at Hampden in 14 years with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

May 2011: Scotland beat Wales 3-1 in Dublin to set up a Carling Nations Cup decider against the Republic of Ireland, having earlier seen off Northern Ireland. But the hosts win 1-0.

September 2011: Scotland move two points behind Czech Republic in Euro 2012 qualifying with two games to go as Steven Naismith scores in 1-0 win over Lithuania, one of only three competitive victories in three years.

LOWS

October 2010: Deploys a 4-6-0 formation in Prague for the Euro 2012 qualifying tie which could define his period in charge. The negative selection stood firm until the 69th minute when Roman Hubnik secured a 1-0 win for the Czech Republic, but Scotland never looked like scoring.

February 2011: Apparently frustrated by the tactics deployed in Prague and his inability to force his way into the team, striker Steven Fletcher texts an SFA official to turn down a call-up for the Carling Nations Cup clash against Northern Ireland. His exile lasted 20 more months.

September 2011: Two controversial late penalty decisions go against Scotland as the Czechs fight back for a 2-2 Hampden draw that puts them in pole position for a play-off place, which they sealed the following month.

May 2012: Suffers heaviest defeat as Scotland manager as the United States cruise to a 5-1 win in Florida. Landon Donovan scores a hat-trick on a humiliating night for the Scots.

September 2012: Scotland have to fight back for a home draw against Macedonia days after opening their World Cup qualifying campaign with a goalless Hampden clash with Serbia.

October 2012: Gareth Bale scores twice in the final 10 minutes as a Wales team recently beaten 6-1 by Serbia beat Levein's men 2-1 in Cardiff. Days later Scotland fall to the bottom of the group with a 2-0 defeat by Belgium.

November: Relieved of his duties as national team manager.

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