Norwich City defender Russell Martin made his first full international start for Scotland in the 1-1 draw against Slovenia.
Norwich City’s Russell Martin earns praise from Scotland boss Craig Levein
Thursday, March 1, 2012
10:16 AM
Norwich City defender Russell Martin won praise from Scotland manager Craig Levein after making his first full international start in the 1-1 draw against Slovenia last night.
Levein was delighted with Scotland’s performance for the first hour as they kept possession well with central midfield trio Charlie Adam, James Morrison and James McArthur impressing alongside man-of-the-match James Forrest.
Morrison hit the post before Scotland lost a soft opener to Andraz Kirm’s header but they soon levelled through Christophe Berra’s impressive leap and header in the 40th minute.
A static Martin failed to attack a cross ball as Kirm got in front to head the opener, after Charlie Mulgrew could not stop the cross, although he did find himself grounded after an initial challenge.
But Levein was generally pleased with the pair on their first starts after losing first-choice full-backs Alan Hutton and Phil Bardsley to injury.
“Strength in depth is important,’’ Levein said. “We lost two really good players in the full-back area and the two boys who came in I was really pleased with.
“Charlie Mulgrew has been on top of his game with Celtic, and Russell Martin as well, I thought they were excellent.’’
City duo Steve Morison and Andrew Crofts both started for Wales in the Gary Speed Memorial match at Cardiff City Stadium as the hosts lost 1-0 to Costa Rica.
Joel Campbell, on loan at Lorient from Arsenal, scored the only goal in the seventh minute as he calmly slotted home from Bryan Ruiz’s pass.
“It was always going to be difficult under the circumstances, it was not our normal preparation,” said new Wales boss Chris Coleman. “This was about one guy and it was important we were there to show our support and celebrate his life. It was a strange atmosphere because we were still grieving.”
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7 comments
Now 3 etherings out of 3 attempts. As Sian might say "Get it sorted!"
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Mad Brewer
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Ether. New Month. S*d you all. OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Friday, March 2, 2012
Ged Steroo - The Legend? More like The Bellend!
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Honkytonk
Friday, March 2, 2012
This is great for Russell Martin. Shows what joining a progressive club with a plan for the future can do for a good professional like he is. Specially when you have a management team like Lambo, Cully & Karsa et al. It`s odd that our latest recruit, R. Bennett, hails from Orsett, Essex and was on the Binmen`s books. Cannot recognise talent when it`s on their own doorstep. Or even when it`s on the "Club"`s own books. Perhaps 1p5wich should stop trying to ply their trade in football and become a gambling rehabilitation centre. They`d probably fail much more successfully at that.
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Mad Brewer
Friday, March 2, 2012
Back to bed Ged. You're just making yourself sound silly, illl-informed and uneducated. You're an embarrassment not a legend.
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Premier League Budgie
Friday, March 2, 2012
I did hear that aliens have been sighted recently flying their saucers over Norfolk - now it seems they are trying to communicate with us via this comments section but unfortunately the universal translator must need adjusting as only gibberish is coming through - - Ged it?
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LR Series 2A
Thursday, March 1, 2012
5th choice for Scotland and at fault for the goal. Blinding! Yet another international legend in the making. I wonder why we have so consistently failed to produce any players that have succeeded on the international stage?? Ged - The Legend and Voice of the Fans.
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Ged Steroo
Thursday, March 1, 2012