QUOTE (Jim Pansy @ Sep 8 2008, 14:26)

He's clearly on the wind, but there is a certain truth to what he said, whether Bemyspastic realises it or not. The Republic of Ireland - not significantly stronger than Scotland I would argue - were playing Georgia, a team better than Macedonia. Roi kept a hold of the ball in midfield, kept possession and eventually got the goals. They showed little or no invention, little or no flair, but simply by keeping hold of the ball they engineered chances. Admittedly the keeper threw one in for them, but nonetheless it was precisely how Scotland should have played against Macedonia, who are a very poor side. I suspect Scotland will play better against Iceland by essentially imitating roi.
True enough, Steven Reid and Glenn Whelan are not world beaters but they sat and did a decent disciplined job in the middle of the park. I didn't even see the Scotland game but I can well imagine the kind of performance served up from Hartley, Robson and Brown.
Sadly for Scotland I fear that, even against Iceland, "imitating roi" may be beyond them.
They have no Shay Given.
Where Ireland have Finnan, Dunne, O'Shea and Kilbane, they have only the Caldwell/McManus comedy double act, Gary Naysmith and the creaking knees of Graham Alexander.
Where Ireland now have McGeady, the sought after Hunt and the successful Reid/Whelan combo, they have Fletcher and, with Bazza indisposed, precious little else.
As already mentioned it is up front where Ireland excel. The £20million man the perfect foil for Kevin Doyle, himself the subject of a £7million bid from Spurs last week. Needless to say Miller and McFadden hardly compare, nor does Boyd - frozen out at Rangers and subject to recent interest from modest Cardiff City.
I won't even insult people's intelligence by comparing Giovanni Trappatoni with George Burley.