Serbia ratings

Sunday 9 September 2012

Vladimir Stojkovic Relatively quiet game.

Custom byline text:

Comfortably caught a couple of early crosses and stood tall to thwart Robert Snodgrass in the first half and, more impressively, Kenny Miller and James Forrest in the second. 6

Branislav Ivanovic Would perhaps have expected Steven Naismith to cause him more problems but, a couple of ultimately fruitless bursts apart, the Chelsea defender had little to concern him defensively. Spent much of his time around the halfway line. 6

Milan Bisevac With Kenny Miller alone in attack, the Serbian centre-backs were not unduly tested, bar brief discomforts. The Lyon defender, for example, was lucky his panicky slash at a Paul Dixon cross did not flash towards his own goal. 6Matija Nastasic Robust and clearly the designated stopper of the partnership. Booked after half an hour for checking Alan Hutton, the Manchester City signing rattled into a couple more ill-advised challenges 6Aleksandar Kolarov Never entirely convincing defensively, especially aerially, the Serbs' other Manchester City player was a real threat going forward. Forced Allan McGregor to scramble to paw clear a free-kick and arrowed a fizzing effort across goal and just past the post after the break. 6Srdjan Mijailovic The Red Star Belgrade man took an early dunt in the mouth from Naismith and responded by barging James Morrison off the ball. Spent the rest of the half harrying Scotland's midfielders before being withdrawn at the interval. 6Aleksandar Ignjovski Deployed at the base of the Serbia midfield to break up the play, the Werder Bremen player slashed in one shot that went alarmingly close to creeping in at the back post. That apart, was content to keep the ball moving and close down space, something he did diligently. 6Milos Ninkovic Notionally the most advanced of the Serb midfield trio, the Dinamo Kiev player was a disappointment, perhaps due to the presence of Gary Caldwell or due to the fearsome two-footed lunge by Hutton. Winning the ball does not legitimise his reckless challenge. 5Zoran Tosic The most feted attacker in their ranks offered sporadic flashes in a right-sided role but was, for the most part, well marshalled by Dixon. One sliding challenge in the box was timed perfectly. Prone to meandering infield, he tried to slip a couple of clever balls in to the area but they failed to find their target. 6Filip Duricic Central forward caused problems with his movement but found opportunities scarce given the proximity of three Scottish centre-backs. Offered progressively less before being withdrawn for the final few minutes. 5Darko Lazovic On the left of an attacking three, the Red Star Belgrade man failed to make the most of Hutton's distaste for defending. That said, a surge into the area was only thwarted by Caldwell, while a whipped shot almost fooled McGregor. 6Substitutes Ljubomir Fejsa was a like-for-like replacement for Mijailovic. Dusan Tadic linked play well in the stead of Lazovic but should have scored in the final exchanges. Dejan Lekic failed to make an impact in the few minutes he had after coming on for Duricic.Sinisa Mihajlovic Appeared content with a point, if his obdurate, technically proficient side's apparent reluctance to be drawn out of defence is taken as a guide. 6Richard Winton

Contextual targeting label:

Sport

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Serbia ratings

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED