TWO GOAL Kevin Gallacher sent the Parkhead "Tartan Army" barmy last night as Scotland eclipsed Austria to take a giant stride along the road to France 1998.
The Blackburn striker ended a 3 1/2 year wait for an international goal with a 24th minute strike and then sealed a vital victory for Craig Brown's team with a stunning late volley.
Scotland now go to Gothenburg on April 30th to face Sweden with confidence soaring after extending their run of clean sheets in competitive games to 14 in their last 15 matches.
Gallacher was a hero but there were few, if any failures, as Jim, Leighton made yet another crucial stop from Austrian substitute Ivica Vastic, when Scotland led 10. It was also a tactical triumph for Brown whose side out thought and out fought Herbert Prohaska's side.
The surprise in the Scotland line up was the exclusion of Celtic's Paul McStay to accommodate a place for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert. As expected, Monaco midfielder John Collins, returned after missing the 2-0 win over Estonia through suspension, with Scot Gemmill stepping down.
Scotland began a little tentatively but Lambert was quickly into his role, sitting in front of the back three to break up attacks.
The first sign of the danger from Gallacher's pace came after 11 minutes when he brilliantly worked a one two with Darren Jackson, nutmegged Marcus Schopp, but over ran the ball and Michel Konsel collected.
Scotland then grabbed the lead in the 24th minute after Austria gifted possession to Gallacher close to the halfway line. His pass released Jackson, who did well to react when Konsel saved his angled shot, but still managed to stab the ball across goal as the keeper appeared to haul him down and Gallacher netted from close range for his third international goal in 27 appearances.
Almost immediately, Austria had Peter Schottel booked for a blatant body check on Jackson before Scotland threatened again when Tosh McKinlay set up a shooting chance and the effort from Collins flashed just wide.
Three minutes before the break Austrian striker Toni Polster, with 35 goals for his country, almost netted at the wrong end as he deflected a cross from McKinlay inches beyond his own post with Konsel beaten.
Peter Stoger, winning his 50th cap for Austria, finally gave Leighton something to concern himself with, although the 38 year old, keeper was content to let the 35 yard shot go wide without the need to save.
Austria withdrew Schottel at half time as Walter Kogler came on but they breathed again 90 seconds after the break when Collins cut through with the help of Jackson but his shot was to straight.
Konsel again denied Scotland with a reaction save after 59 minutes when Hendry seemed set to score from close range. Leighton did equally well with a superb stop from Austrian substitute Vastic with 17 minutes left Gallacher then made good that escape with a wonder second goal with 13 minutes left to crown his remarkable evening. Lambert tried to feed the ball through to substitute John McGinlay, on for the tiring Jackson, and Gallacher unleashed a swerving volley which went in off the far post with Konsel helpless.
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