McSwegan is no Ronaldo, and Wembley’s no lucky charm

All 16 nations for next year’s finals in Belgium and Holland will be known following the four ties.

It is 50 years since Scotland achieved the kind of result at wembley they need to overturn their 2-0 first leg deficit.

The Scots’ 3-1 success at Wembley in 1949 was the last time they beat their neighbours by two clear goals at the so-called venue of legends.

The Scots would be better off not consulting the history books if they are looking for comfort. They have mustered just three goals in their last 10 encounters with England and last won at Wembley 18 years ago.

Adding to Scottish pessimism is the fact that Kevin Gallacher, probably their most technically gifted striker, misses the Wembley return after getting himself booked for a pointless tackle on Michael Owen at Hampden.

Judging by his aimless finishing on Saturday, that may be a blessing in disguise for coach Craig Brown, though his likely replacement, Gary McSwegan, is hardly Ronaldo — and he has been struggling with injury.

Midfielder Don Hutchison is also facing a race to get fit after picking up a calf strain.

Keegan holds all the aces, although his England side hardly look like they will set Europe alight at next year’s finals.

Keegan is likely to stick with largely the same side, though he may opt to field Leicester’s Steve Guppy to deliver some crosses in from the left flank, with Phil Neville missing out.

Goalkeeper David Seaman is expected to be fit despite missing training with a calf injury yesterday.

Ireland have a tough task in Bursa, Turkey, having conceded a late goal for a 1-1 draw in Dublin and with Robbie Keane suspended.

Keane scored with 11 minutes to go to give them a well-deserved lead but was booked for dissent following the penalty decision only three minutes later.

Lee Carsley handled the ball and Swedish referee Anders Frisk did not hesitate in signalling a spot kick. Tayfur Havutcu stepped up to knock the ball home and give the Turks the edge for the return.

Goalkeeper Alan Kelly had already been sent back to Blackburn for treatment on a groin injury before the Irish set out on a marathon eight-hour journey to Turkey.

But a roll-call of other casualties also revealed fitness doubts over centre backs Kenny Cunningham and Gary Breen, who both have knee injuries, midfielder Lee Carsley, suffering from bruised Achilles tendons, and full back Steve Carr with a hamstring strain.

Slovenia, only a country since January 1992 following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, have a chance to qualify after their surprise 2-1 win over Ukraine in ljubljana.

Milenko acimovic hit an astonishing late goal against Ukraine, who had both Dmitri Parfiniov and Andrii Husin sent off and therefore out for the return match.

Acimovic, himself surprised that his 50m Lob sailed past Alexandr Shovkovsky into the net, is optimistic they can go through. “I am confident and I believe that we can reach the finals,” he said.

Coach Srecko Katanec was not quite as upbeat about their chances: “I am well aware how narrow a victory this is. We must keep our feet firmly on the ground.”

Denmark’s 5-0 thrashing of Israel has surely meant they will earn their place following the Copenhagen fixture.