Scotland 0-0 Serbia: Bid to reach World Cup gets off to stuttering start

Winger James Forrest was introduced late in the second half, but couldn't find the break through.© SNS Group

Scotland were forced to settle for a point against Serbia, after their opening World Cup qualifier ended goalless at Hampden.

Craig Levein’s side had been hopeful of taking maximum points from their first two home fixtures, but despite creating some good opportunities, the Scots failed to break down a stubborn Serbian defence.

Former Dundee United left back Paul Dixon was handed his Scotland debut, with Levein breaking with tradition by naming his team less than an hour before kick off, rather than the night before.

Kenny Miller was given the nod ahead of Jordan Rhodes as the lone striker, while Gary Caldwell earned his 50th cap in a midfield that also included Charlie Adam, James Morrison, Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith.

Alan Hutton, Andy Webster and Christophe Berra, with Allan McGregor taking his place in goal after recovering from an injury, made up the rest of Scotland’s backline.

The Tartan Army were on their feet within the opening minutes, when Naismith burst through on goal, but the Serbs were able to clear for a corner that Scotland failed to capitalize on.

The visitors then had the chance to pile on some early pressure with a free-kick 30 yards out, but McGregor did well to block a curling effort from Aleksandar Kolarov.

A period of pressure followed from the Scots and Snodgrass was denied the opener from close range by a save from Vladimir Stojkovic at the near post.

The Norwich midfielder had another chance minutes later, this time from a quick Adam free-kick, but again the goalkeeper reacted well and blocked the effort.

Snodgrass then turned provider for Naismith at the back post but his header drifted past the post as the home side continued to press for the opener.

Matija Nastasic picked up the first booking for a challenge on Hutton, who was fortunate not to be shown at least a yellow card for a foul of his own on Milos Ninkovic.

The Scots could have opened the scoring just before the break when Adam released Miller and his cross-shot dipped just over the bar, with Morrison unmarked at the back post.

Serbia looked livelier after the restart but it was Scotland who carved out the first real chance of the second half.

A Snodgrass corner found Berra, who nodded across the face of goal, but Miller just failed to connect at the back post and the chance was lost.

At the other end, Aleksandar Ignjovski unleashed a powerful shot that fizzed over the crossbar, before Kolarov drove across the face of goal and just past the post.

Scotland should have opened the scoring when Caldwell released Naismith into the box, and the Everton man looked to set to leave the net bulging, but he somehow poked his shot wide of the target instead.

With neither side able to find the back of the net, Levein made his first change with 20 minutes to go when Snodgrass was replaced by James Forrest.

Jamie Mackie and Jordan Rhodes were then thrown into the action for Morrison and Miller for the last 10 minutes, as Hampden chanted the name of Blackburn striker Rhodes.

Mackie won a free-kick that provided hope of a late winner for the Scots but Adam’s delivery was poor and the effort was easily cleared by the Serbs.

Serbia could have snatched the points in the final minute when substitute Dusan Tardic burst through on goal but McGregor was up to the task to save well, supporting the consensus that the former Rangers keeper had been Scotland’s best performer.

However, Scotland came closest to taking three points from the match, when Forrest was released beyond the last line of Serbian defence with just seconds remaining. But his shot was smothered by Stojkovic and the ball was scrambled away from danger as the match ended goalless.

The pressure is now on Levein and his team to deliver their first win against Macedonia on Tuesday night when they visit Hampden.

Copyright of the Press Association 2012.

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