International Friendly, Craven Cottage, 28/5/14

This was quite a good game, chances at both ends. Nigeria had the best of the early exchanges but Scotland had the first close effort, Ikechi Anya’s shot deflected by the defender onto the post. Then a scuffed shot from James Morrison brilliantly flicked by Charlie Mulgrew for the opener.

The first equaliser came after Uchebo was allowed to run at the defence before shooting. Allan McGregor might have had it covered but it took a wicked deflection off Grant Hanley.

Scotland’s second was due to good play down the right. Alan Hutton’s cross came off defender Egwuekwe to end up in th enet.

The second equaliser was a case of the commentator’s curse. With about a minute or so of normal time left he had just informed us that it was in 1951 that Scotland last won four away games in succession when Nigeria promptly scored. Well; it still is.

A refreshing attacking performance by Scotland until Nigeria began to dominate in the second half. A draw was just about right.

FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Europe, Group A, Philip II of Macedonia Arena, Skopje, 10/9/13

Two wins on the road is not to be scoffed at, but we rode our luck in the second half. Overall Matt Gilks had more saves to make than the Macedonian keeper had in the whole game.

Ikechi Anya, though, has a welcome injection of pace and willingness to get forward. His goal was very well taken.

Scotland had much the better of the first half and our failure to score could have come back to haunt us. Macedonia were much more positive in the second half and looking likelier to score just before we did but didn’t let us in the game after that. When the equaliser came it didn’t look likely they could lose. But up stepped Shaun Maloney to do what he’s done for Wigan and usually doesn’t get the opportunity to do for Scotland (because we don’t get free kicks around the area that often.)

If results in other games go against us it may still be we’ll need to beat Croatia – who have second place in the group in the bag anyway – next month to avoid bottom spot.