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Published: April 23, 1998

Scotland showed their inadequacies in attack when they were held to a 1-1 draw in Edinburgh by World Cup also-rans Finland.

The Scots had to come from behind after Glasgow Rangers' Jonatan Johanssen gave them a tenth minute lead at Easter Road. Defender Matthew Elliott allowed Johanssen a free run on goal and he flicked the ball over the advancing Jim Leighton in goal. This was their last appearance in Scotland before the Finals in France and the Scots rarely looked like getting the send off they wanted.

Thery created few chances and the second half deteriorated into a succession of substitutions by Craig Brown that led to a touchline confrontation between the Scotland coach and Richard Moller Nielsen. Six changes were made in all but none looked like breaking the deadlock after Darren Jackson had bundled in an equaliser in the fifteenth minute.

The approach play of the Scots lacked the crucial piece of midfield creativity that can unlock a defence at this level and without it they will struggle in France. Brown left out many players from the two major Scottish clubs as they are involved in a tense conclusion to the domestic season. The coach must hope that their return to the starting eleven will produce more shots at goal.