Allan Johnston – Scotland could do with a little bit of ‘Magic’

IT’S been a wounding week for Scottish football.

On Tuesday the national side became the first in Europe to be eliminated from the 2014 World Cup. The might of Andorra, San Marino and the Faroes linger on. Then on Thursday, Dunfermline were forced to make seven first-team players redundant after applying to go into administration.

Sandwiched in the midst of the misery, however, was a little bit of Magic. In leading Queen of the South to the fastest League title win in Britain at Station Park on Wednesday night, Allan ‘Magic’ Johnston pulled off a conjuring trick worthy of the nickname.

The irony of its timing wasn’t lost on him.

Nearly 11 years ago, he was part of Berti Vogts’ Scotland side that scraped a 2-2 draw in a European Championship qualifier in the Faroes.

On the back of Mickey Thomas’ recent jibe, and World Cup elimination, that squad is currently vying with Gordon Strachan’s present charges as the worst Scotland team of all time.

“That was a very difficult day,” reflected Johnston with dry understatement of a day that prompted David Weir to request that Vogts should not consider him again for selection during the remainder of his time in charge.

Deployed on the wing in a line up that also included the likes of Maurice Ross, Stephen Crainey and Kevin Kyle, Johnston watched in horror as defensive mix-ups put Scotland 2-0 down at half-time and on the brink of one of the biggest upsets in world football.

“People have expectations when you play against the smaller teams that you will always come out on top,” continued the Glaswegian.

“Of course, it doesn’t always happen.

“You can have the better footballers, but you also have to handle the conditions, the situation and the opposition.

“If you fail to do that on a day when the other side successfully execute their game plan, then you can end up with a bloody nose.

“But with Scotland it is so hard to take when that happens because you know how much everyone is counting on you.

“We are a football-mad country.”

Some criticisms could be levelled at manager Strachan in Novi Sad, plus players such as Gary Caldwell and Jordan Rhodes, after what was a fourth successive competitive defeat. A lack of commitment was not one of them.

Even in the late night gloom of the Karadorde Stadium, the collective anguish at the confirmation of yet another failure to reach a major Finals was palpable.

“It is at times like this your mental strength really gets tested,” said Johnston.

“Gary Caldwell has played many times in the English Premier League. He knows he is a good defender.

“Gordon Strachan led Celtic to numerous trophies. He knows he is a good manager.

“When the flak comes, you have to focus on who you are and what you are trying to achieve.

“If you do that, work hard and get a bit of luck, then things should fall into place.”

Just as they have for the Doonhamers, in fact,

Queens clinched the Second Division title after going 27 points clear of second place Alloa Athletic, a lead established by an incredible run of 25 straight victories, including Wednesday’s 6-0 rout of rivals Brechin City.

As Johnston pointedly admits, it is a story with a timely theme of redemption. The Dumfries club were relegated to the country’s third tier on the last day of 2012-13.

“One of the nice things about football is that it does offer you chances to make amends,” said the 39-year-old, who won 18 Scotland caps in a playing career which took in stints with Kilmarnock, Hearts, Rangers and Sunderland.

“I think it is important to remember that, especially at times when things are going badly, as they are just now for Scotland.

“Things get better as well as worse.”

It is a mantra which has worked for Johnston in Dumfries.

Given charge of the team following the departure of Gus McPherson with one game of the season remaining, he has somehow succeeded in bringing champagne football to Palmerston Park.

“Listen, it hasn’t been complicated,” he insisted.

“All I have done is send the guys out to play the type of football I enjoyed playing myself and would want to watch as a fan.

“That is an attacking style which aims to be as positive as possible at all times.

“The players have embraced that philosophy and are the ones who have delivered the success we have had.

“If there has been an area Sandy Clark and I have done well in, it has been in marrying the right amount of experience in with the very strong young talent we are blessed with at the club.

“The blend has been good because we have showed up well in our games against teams from the higher leagues, such as Dundee United and Hibs, and when we beat Rangers at Ibrox.

“They have been terrific and now they are getting rewards, with next Sunday’s Ramsdens Cup Final against Partick Thistle another big opportunity for us all.

“We have won a title, done it in style and now we have a Cup Final in front of a sell-out crowd to look forward to.”

Just like that.

Gordon Strachan, who has seen the early glow of a friendly victory over Estonia extinguished by the losses to Wales and Serbia, must wish it was so simple in his role.

“You have to appreciate that as an international manager, Gordon has a very restricted pool to work with,” argued the Queens boss.

“That is for starters, and then you have to factor in injuries to Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher and Steven Fletcher.

“These guys are big players for us, but even without them I am sure we will get better once we get the right group together.

“I am sure things will get better both for Scotland and for Dunfermline.”

Here’s hoping.