Cynical foul on Steven Naismith deserved a red
Monday 8 September 2014 11:27, UK
Graeme Souness says Germany's Erik Durm should have been sent off for denying Scotland a goalscoring opportunity in their European qualifier.
Germany beat a spirited Scottish side 2-1 in Dortmund on Sunday night, but Durm's late foul on Steven Naismith, as he threatened to score an equaliser, could have changed the outcome of the Group D encounter.
And Souness says the world champions were fortunate to keep 11 men on the field.
"I think there's a real chance it's a red," he said.
"Naismith does everything right - gets across him and he's saying to the defender 'foul me, bring me down or let me go'.
"Durm fouls him. You'd have to say that another touch if he doesn't foul him, it's another touch out of his feet and he's got a shot at goal.
"If Durm stands back and lets him go, he's having another touch out of his feet and he's got a clear goalscoring chance.
"Clear goalscoring chance, therefore it's a sending off."
Belief
Souness, who earned 54 Scotland caps, praised his countrymen's efforts in going for their first win in Germany in 15 years.
The hosts led through Thomas Muller's first-half goal, but Gordon Strachan's decision to throw on Steven Fletcher and James McArthur early in the second half changed the momentum and they levelled through Ikechi Anya, before Muller's second settled the contest.
Souness continued: "The difference between the first half and the second half is that I had a bit of belief in the second.
"I think the substitutions - certainly Steven Fletcher coming on and having that physical presence up through the middle - made a big difference to them. They started to get a bit of belief and all play another 10 yards up the pitch.
"You want chances to fall to Steven Naismith and he missed two glorious chances.
"You could see the Germans were concerned at times. They were not convincing tonight. I like to think that's because Scotland had a real go at them."
Special
Souness also paid tribute to Germany's two-goal match-winner Muller for his work-rate and for making the most of his talent.
"He's a special player," he said of the World Cup standout.
"Look at the incident when he hits the post with a shot, the ball breaks loose and Scotland are on the attack and he's the one racing 40 or 50 yards. Okay, he fouls him in a cynical fashion, but it shows you his attitude for the game.
"You look at him and you don't think 'he's silky' or 'he's special' but he just seems to do the right things all the time."