International Football: Scotland flourish under McAllister's inspiration: McGinlay's debut goal

Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

SCOTTISH spirits were raised by more than just a 2-1 victory over Austria in Vienna yesterday. Craig Brown's depleted line-up strung together a superb performance, came back from a 1-0 deficit, could well have put more than two past the Austrians and there was a debut goal for John McGinlay to boot.

It was something of a dream start for McGinlay, though his goal could have come some time earlier than the 34th minute as he had already missed a rebound from a fearsome shot from Gary McAllister. Scotland however, were already chasing the game having conceded agoal from a powerful strike by Adolf Hutter.

McAllister, playing an inspirational captain's role which Brown was full of praise for afterwards, gave McGinlay the chance to make amends for his earlier miss, bursting down the right and cutting the ball back for the Bolton striker to side- foot home.

Scotland's superiority was rewarded in the 60th minute. Eoin Jess cut in from the left and beat three attempted tackles, his pass missed McAllister but was prodded to Billy McKinlay who curled his shot into the top corner.

AUSTRIA: Wohlfahrt; Prosenik (Kuhbauer, h/t), Kogler, Hochmaier, Schottel, Baur, Cerny, Hutter, Polster, Herzog, Stoger.

SCOTLAND: Leighton (Hibernian); McKimmie (Aberdeen), Boyd (Celtic), McLaren (Hearts), Irvine (Aberdeen), Hendry (Blackburn), Jess (Aberdeen), McKinlay (Dundee Utd), McGinlay (Bolton), McAllister (Leeds), Collins (Celtic). Substitutes: Ian Ferguson (Rangers) for Boyd h/t.

Referee: H Albrecht (Ger).