James McFadden celebrates historic strike

Sep 13 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

France 0, Scotland 1

GOAL hero James McFadden hailed Scotland’s 1-0 win in France as his country’s best result in living memory.

Everton’s McFadden kept his country on course for Euro 2008 qualification with a long-range strike which was fumbled by home goalkeeper Mikael Landreau.

It completed a famous double over the World Cup finalists following an identical result in the home leg.

McFadden said: “To win at Hampden was a bit of an upset. To come to France and beat them in a qualifier is unbelievable.”

Asked if it was Scotland’s finest result, he added: “I can’t remember. They’re up there with the best teams in the world and we’ve more than held our own and we’ve got a win.

“It wasn’t pretty at times, we defended well, we were solid and got a goal and won the game.”

Of his decision to go for goal in the 64th minute, the Goodison midfielder said: “We trained here last night and the balls were flying everywhere so I thought ‘why not? ”’

McFadden believes Scotland are now on course for a place in Euro 2008. He added: “We’ve got a great chance now.

“We’ve got to believe we can win the rest of the games – why not?”

McFadden admitted hard work had been behind the victory over last year's World Cup runners-up. He added: “They’re up there as one of the best teams in the world and we’ve come here and we’ve more than held our own, and we’ve got a win.”