KIERON'S MALT OF THE EARTH

Gemmill relief as Bowie strikes late to sink minnows & save Scotland's blushes

SCOTLAND........2 

MALTA........1

SCOT GEMMILL admitted his relief that Kieron Bowie spared Scotland’s blushes with a late winner against Group B whipping boys Malta last night. 

The Dark Blues boss watched the Fulham striker bag his third goal in two games after Alex Lowry’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by the minnows after the break.

But Gemmill insists the latest learning curve for his players was the refusal to panic before finding a solution.

He said: “We speak about development and players but live in a game we want to win, of course you feel relief.

“I was concerned before the game because such a young team, you know, and in these situations you have to take your chances and keep a clean sheet.

“We couldn’t get to the same level as Friday (a 3-1 wib over Hungary). We did make really hard work of it but they found a way to win so credit to them for that.

“They know themselves and a lot aren’t happy with the way they played but they found a way to win and that’s a big part of their experience and development.