Scotland Sweat Over Miller
Ross Winton
Scotland manager Craig Levein faces an anxious wait over the fitness of striker Kenny Miller ahead of tonight’s crucial Group I qualifier against Spain.
The Scots go into the match needing to match result of the Czech Republic who play away to Lithuania, but might have to face the World and European champions without their main talisman.
Miller missed out Saturday’s 1-0 victory away to Lichtenstein and Levein has indicated that he is unlikely to feature this evening.
“Of the doubtful ones, Kenny would be the worst. He doesn’t feel he has improved much since Friday” said Levien at a press conference yesterday.
Also doubtful for the crunch match tonight are trio: Darren Fletcher, Craig Mackail-Smith and Barry Bannan, all of whom featured at the weekend. Levien was far more convinced over their fitness however.
“Mackail-Smith and Fletcher will both get a fitness test. Fletcher sounds more confident than he did yesterday, so that is encouraging.
If the game had been today, (said on Monday) I’d have been worried. But Darren is projecting in his own mind the same improvement.”
With Miller rated very unlikely to feature, Scotland will pin their hopes on Saturday’s goal hero Craig Mackail-Smith, who will start for only the second time in a blue jersey should he get the nod this evening.
Others in contention for a starting position should Fletcher and Bannan fail to meet fitness levels are Cardiff City’s Don Cowie, Middlesbrough veteran Barry Robson and Ranger’s Steven Whittaker.
Levein knows a win would guarantee them a play-off spot for the Euro 2012, but Scotland are massive underdogs, rated a 14/1 shot with most bookmaker to win this evening.
Radio Napier 
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