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. Hampden Park, 22/3/13.

Wretched. That’s the only way to describe Scotland’s opening to this game. Misplaced passes galore – and in the worst area of the field to commit that footballing crime.

And yet we went in one up. From a set piece obviously. (Nicely taken by Grant Hanley as it was.)

Then it was suicide in the second half as Robert Snodgrass over-committed in the penalty box and the side couldn’t reorganise quickly enough after his sending off and the loss of the first goal.

No new manager bounce.

It is becoming increasingly obvious we just no longer have the players to compete for qualification places in World Cup and European Championship groups.