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month ago, Jamie Mackie would not have been a name known by the majority of the Tartan Army. Even now many of the 5,000 fans following Scotland in Prague could probably stand next to him in a queue and not recognise him.
But tonight at the Synot Tip Arena, where Scotland take on Czech Republic in a crunch Euro 2012 qualifier, he will carry the hopes of Scotland after being named in the starting line-up by manager Craig Levein at the expense of Kenny Miller. The news
ADVERTISEMENTdoes not come as a surprise, having been anticipated due to a leak from the Scotland camp earlier this week. But this does not lessen the pressure on a player who, just two years ago, was playing for Exeter City.
Miller, meanwhile, must sit and stew on the night when he was supposed to win his 50th international cap, with Levein having staked his reputation on a rookie who has never played in the top league in England, never mind made the step up to international football. However, Levein is confident that the Surrey-born Queen's Park Rangers player, who qualifies on account of his Kilmarnock-born grandfather, can be the key man in a line-up which he has been working on all week. Mackie has been a principal reason why QPR currently sit at the top of the Championship in England and, like Miller, is a man in form.
"I have a gameplan," said Levein, who was angered by the fact one newspaper revealed details of the team as early as Wednesday. "My views on the best way to win this match have never changed. I pick what I think is the best team. I'm looking at a situation and, make no bones about it, we will frustrate the Czech Republic and take it from there. But I pick a team which I think is the best team to win the game and that involves more than just defending."
However, Levein's main aim is to frustrate the Czechs, with a draw proving a more than acceptable way to prepare for Tuesday night's showdown with world champions Spain at Hampden Park.
"This game, like most international matches, will be a game of cat and mouse," said Levein, with reference to the first leg of a crucial double-header. "We've had a difficult week in terms of injuries and getting a full compliment of players on the training ground. But the standard of training has been excellent all week. As the week has progressed, we've had more and more of the guys back from little niggly injuries."
Levein is relieved that he has been able to name the team he wanted to take the field this evening with Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker passing late fitness tests. Allan McGregor will also line up in goal following fears that Levein would have to turn to Craig Gordon. The former Hearts keeper has not played a first-team game this season for Sunderland following a broken arm but was on stand-by as McGregor struggled with a thigh injury.