O’Connor back and firing for Scotland

O'Connor had infamously fallen off the international radar after failing to report for duty against the Ukraine in Kiev seven months ago. With no apology or direct correspondence with the previous manager, Walter Smith, he failed to appear in any squads until his summons last week. But for the hierarchical change, his prospects of featuring again for his country looked bleak.

Ironically, his last Scotland goal occurred against Austria in Graz two years in a 2-2 draw. McLeish's decision to recall O'Connor did not meet with the unanimous approval of the Tartan Army,yet he converted those in attendance with a composed left-foot finish. He afforded himself a wry smile and kiss of the lion rampant on his shirt before being swarmed by well-wishing team-mates.

O'Connor has started the Russian league season in fine fettle, with a derby goal, and McLeish must now hope his off-field maturity can improve in correlation with his on-field development. The 24-year-old's instant forgiveness was in stark contrast to the ritual abuse doled out to the Austrian captain, Andreas Ivanschitz.

If Old Firm fans are renowned for holding a grudge - as Maurice Johnston discovered by putting the Atlantic Ocean between himself and his previous life - the mulleted madmen of Austria take some beating. Ivanschitz, the most elegant performer on show, endured a scandalous torrent of abuse from a section of the home support.

A former Rapid Vienna favourite, he committed the heinous crime of joining Salzburg and was reminded of his act of betrayal at every opportunity by a rabid Rapid hard core, even though he has since escaped to Panathinaikos. Mercifully for him, a veil in front of the Rapid end protected him from missile attack.

It was an exercise in housekeeping on the part of Alex McLeish: maintaining sharpness at the end of an arduous season, providing adequate preparation for the tricky trip to Toftir to play the Faroe Islands next week, and broadening the experience of willing travellers who have yet to enjoy significant game time.

Last night's starting XI will bear only a passing resemblance to McLeish's likely line-up against the Faroe Islands in Toftir next week. A spine of David Weir, Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher will remain unchanged while O'Connor has now made a genuine claim for a starting position beside Kris Boyd with his keen contribution.

Allan McGregor made his Scotland debut after an admirable slog for first-choice status at Rangers. He had to think quickly early on when Christoph Leitgeb swung in the first of several dangerous corner kicks and the keeper completed a competent 45-minute outing before being replaced by Craig Gordon.

Shaun Maloney, early into a new life at Aston Villa, made only his third appearance, having played against Belarus and the United States, and a raft of second-half changes, including newcomers Charlie Adam and Alan Hutton, kept the cap embroidery factory in gainful employment.

The 900-strong Tartan Army's quirky and even camp fixation with The Sound of Music began in the Austrian capital a decade ago when, bored with the stalemate in the Ernst Happel stadium during a goalless qualification match for World Cup France 98, an ingenious bunch of sozzled Scots sought to pay homage to the Von Trapps, a tradition that has endured.

Accordingly, they launched into the opening verse of Do-Re-Mi with the kind of gusto afforded to Flower of Scotland. To add to the confusion, the Austrian brass section boomed out the melody to Yellow Submarine in response. Go figure.

Austria were derided by one of their own this week. Thomas Flogel, a midfielder of short-lived fame at Hearts, compared the state of his sporting nation to that of Scotland during the befuddling and blundering era of Berti Vogts. On the evidence of the hosts' early endeavours, Herr Flogel may have been a tad unkind. Ivanschitz worked in marvellous synchronicity with the rangy Sturm Graz striker, Mario Haas, and between them created enough openings to threaten McGregor.

Scotland contributed to a lively joust and spurned even greater chances in the first half. An awkward overhead kick from Boyd bounced just wide of Helge Payer's goal, and Scotland's top goalscorer then mis-hit from close range.

O'Connor's goal was patiently executed. He received possession from an industrious Boyd, shifted on to his left foot and steered the ball past Helge Payer. Markus Katzer shook the crossbar in the final minute but Scotland held on to complete an unquestionably worthwhile exercise.

Now for the Toftir clifftop.

Scotland ratings

• Allan McGregor Entirely at ease any time he was called upon, which was somewhat infrequently 8
  
• Graham Alexander His usual decent shift for Scotland. Sensible stuff at the back, although could have advanced on the flank more without risking much 7
  
• David Weir No quarter given by the grand-daddy of the current set-up. Always a presence in the air before being replaced by Dailly at half-time 7
  
• Gary Caldwell Without being eminently noticeable, didn't do much wrong 7
  
• Gary Naysmith A slack pass nearly let in Mario Haas in the first half and would undoubtedly have been punished by a better class of striker 5
  
• Lee McCulloch Involved enough but never looked likely to produce anything to savour 6
• Darren Fletcher Energetic, composed and hungry. Got forward plenty and passed the ball about with intelligence 8
  
• Barry Ferguson Adequate performance without great exertion. Delivery into the box was below par 7
  
• Shaun Maloney Typically tricky and fought well but lost possession a lot against physical adversaries 7
  
• Garry O'Connor Looked strong, deserved his goal and was always looking for the ball 8
  
• Kris Boyd Lacked a cutting edge and fluffed several chances 5

Substitutes

• Craig Gordon Held everything that came his way and kept his cool during a late Austria surge 7
  
• Christian Dailly Indifferent performance from the veteran campaigner 6
  
• Paul Hartley Cantered around with intent but looked decidedly sluggish. Not a vintage display 5
  
• Charlie Adam Looked eager on his debut but wasn't given much to do in the final third and could not create anything for himself 6
  
• Alan Hutton Comfortable when on the ball and kept Austrians at bay late on 7
• Stephen McManus Didn't have much time on the park but should have been closer to Markus Katzer when the Austrian headed against the bar 6