Craig Levein's highs and lows as Scotland manager

 

Pa
Tuesday 06 November 2012 10:56 GMT
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Tartan trouble: Craig Levein during Scotland's 2-1 defeat in Cardiff. After the match he blamed the officials
Tartan trouble: Craig Levein during Scotland's 2-1 defeat in Cardiff. After the match he blamed the officials

Craig Levein has left his role as Scotland manager. Here Press Association Sport looks at his highs and lows in the job.

HIGHS

March 2010: In his first match as manager, the former Dundee United boss oversees Scotland's first friendly win at Hampden in 14 years with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

May 2011: Scotland beat Wales 3-1 in Dublin to set up a Carling Nations Cup decider against the Republic of Ireland, having earlier seen off Northern Ireland. But the hosts win 1-0.

September 2011: Scotland move two points behind Czech Republic in Euro 2012 qualifying with two games to go as Steven Naismith scores in 1-0 win over Lithuania, one of only three competitive victories in three years.

LOWS

October 2010: Deploys a 4-6-0 formation in Prague for the Euro 2012 qualifying tie which could define his period in charge. The negative selection stood firm until the 69th minute when Roman Hubnik secured a 1-0 win for the Czech Republic, but Scotland never looked like scoring.

February 2011: Apparently frustrated by the tactics deployed in Prague and his inability to force his way into the team, striker Steven Fletcher texts an SFA official to turn down a call-up for the Carling Nations Cup clash against Northern Ireland. His exile lasted 20 more months.

September 2011: Two controversial late penalty decisions go against Scotland as the Czechs fight back for a 2-2 Hampden draw that puts them in pole position for a play-off place, which they sealed the following month.

May 2012: Suffers heaviest defeat as Scotland manager as the United States cruise to a 5-1 win in Florida. Landon Donovan scores a hat-trick on a humiliating night for the Scots.

September 2012: Scotland have to fight back for a home draw against Macedonia days after opening their World Cup qualifying campaign with a goalless Hampden clash with Serbia.

October 2012: Gareth Bale scores twice in the final 10 minutes as a Wales team recently beaten 6-1 by Serbia beat Levein's men 2-1 in Cardiff. Days later Scotland fall to the bottom of the group with a 2-0 defeat by Belgium.

November: Relieved of his duties as national team manager.

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