McFadden ego delivers for McLeish but Scots must thank Vogts, too

A stunning 35-yard drive by Everton's James McFadden elevated Alex McLeish's side to the top of Group B in the European qualifiers and left a trail of smiling faces all the way from Largs to Lagos, even if the one in the Nigerian capital did have a distinctly wry look to it.

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Scotland hot-shot: McFadden celebrates his stunning long-range winner at the Parc des Princes

It belonged to Berti Vogts, who was ridiculed to such a degree during his Scotland tenure that when it all finally became too much, his brief and bitter resignation speech referred to "disgraceful" treatment by the public and media.

He claimed he would not be back to manage at international level again. But the transformation of Scotland from laughing stock to genuine contenders for a place among Europe's finest next summer goes back to beleaguered Vogts and an unwavering belief in Scotland's youth.

It was vilified at the time but has given McLeish players who can score vital goals at one end, like McFadden, and keep them out at the other, such as Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon.

Vogts has since returned to the international fold as coach of Nigeria and was unavailable for comment last night, but a close friend said: "He feels vindicated at seeing these boys prove themselves but just wishes he was given the opportunity to see the job through.

"He still hopes the Scots might acknowledge that he didn't do such a bad job and left a legacy that will serve them well for years."

McLeish revealed he picked McFadden because he has the big ego to beat the world's best. The 24-year-old delivered arguably Scotland's finest international goal to claim the amazing win in the Parc des Princes.

"I wanted guys in against France who really fancy themselves and that is Faddy," said McLeish.

"I knew I had to get him in the side because we wanted his expertise on the ball and his ability to take the ball and do something a wee bit different.

"It was no disrespect to the other guys, but we wanted to go with those players who had the most experience.

"I changed my mind on the shape we would play. A few days ago we were thinking about the offensive midfielder, because we went that way in Italy (in March) and it went quite well. But then other thoughts came into my head.

"He had looked much sharper against Lithuania and he'd also had a bit more game time at Everton. I wanted guys who would not be fazed and who fancy themselves big-time on the pitch, and he has that."

At 24, McFadden's Everton career has reached a critical stage, and there are those who sense he is ready for a fresh challenge after struggling to establish himself under David Moyes.

If so, he could hardly have done more to attract attention than stun the French with a long-range winner, as he began to realise when a battery of flashbulbs greeted his arrival at Glasgow airport at 2.30am yesterday.

While McFadden ponders his future, Gordon continues to deliver in a way that is no more than Sunderland boss Roy Keane expected when he paid a British record £9million to sign him from Hearts last month.

"Everyone seems quite surprised by Scotland's result but I expected Craig to come back with something like that," said Keane.

"He's a bargain. The time to judge will be over a number of years but I didn't worry about the money involved. He's a young keeper who is improving all the time."

McLeish is sweating on the fitness of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who was left on crutches following a clash with Patrick Vieira.

Fletcher, who is suspended for the next qualifier against Ukraine, will have a scan on a knee injury and there are fears he may miss the last two games against Georgia and Italy.

Archie Gemmill, who can lay claim to one of Scotland's most talked-about goals after waltzing past one challenge after another in a 3-1 win over Holland at the 1978 World Cup, feels McFadden is about to usurp him as a favourite conversation piece.

Gemmill said: "His goal was better than mine when you consider what was at stake. Three points were hanging on it and that makes it a very important goal. It was a wonderful moment of magic."