Rangers flop Sionko on song to deflate Scotland hopes in Prague

David Clarkson marked his Scotland debut with a goal - but it was not enough to prevent the first defeat of the George Burley era against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Former Rangers misfit Libor Sionko claimed a double and Michal Kadlec was also on the scoresheet as the home nation ran out 3-1 winners.  

This was Burley's first away game and he always knew it would be a tough test against a country ranked sixth in the world and heading for Euro 2008 this summer.

Remember me: Kevin McNaughton tackles former Hearts player Rudi Skacel during Scotland's defeat to the Czech Republic

Scotland skipper Stephen McManus  told BBC Scotland: "We did well especially in the first half, we kept the ball very well and the Scotland fans can be proud in the way we played.

"I think the scoreline was (flattering) but a lot of the lads have had a long season so it was going to be a test to play in this heat and against a good side.

"David Clarkson came on and did remarkably goal and everyone will be delighted for him to score on his debut."

Burley headed into the friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague's AXA Arena seeking his first win as Scotland manager.  

He handed a debut to West Brom midfielder James Morrison, while Kenny Miller was given the role of lone striker in a 4-4-1-1 formation.  

Hearts defender Christophe Berra and Motherwell duo David Clarkson and Ross McCormack were named on the bench, providing them with hope of also earning their first caps.

One up: Sionko slots past Craig Gordon to open the scoring in Prague

Former Rangers and Hearts players Libor Sionko and Rudi Skacel both started for the Czechs. The home nation could have opened the scoring early on when Skacel's cut-back found Sionko in front of goal but the ball was cleared before he could shoot.

Jan Koller then fired over from the rebound.   A Gary Caldwell foul on Koller 30 yards out provided the Czechs with another opportunity to put Scotland under pressure but Tomas Galasek's free-kick was comfortably held by Craig Gordon.  

The Scots managed a few ventures forward themselves but failed to put their hosts under too much pressure in the opening spell. 

At the other end, a great cross from the right from Sionko set up Koller for a header but the striker was off target again. Scotland then failed in their attempts to win a penalty when Barry Robson claimed he was pushed in the box by Marek Jankulovski but Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar ignored the pleas.  

The Czechs still looked more likely to snatch the opener before the break and Gordon was called into action to block a thunderous long-range shot from Jan Polak.   Jankulovski pounced on the rebound but rifled into the side netting to the relief of the visitors.  

A Robson free-kick 25 yards out provided hope of a breakthrough for Scotland but Chelsea's Petr Cech was untroubled in the Czech goal as the first half ended goalless.

Equaliser: David Clarkson scores but it turns out to be a mere consolation goal for Scotland

The Czechs made five changes at half-time and one of the substitutes, David Jarolim, almost broke the deadlock soon after the restart.  

Polak raced past Gary Naysmith before squaring to Jarolim at the back post with the gaping net at his mercy but a last-gasp block from Paul Hartley kept the scoreline level.  

Scotland's best chance followed when Miller slipped a pass through to Morrison who looked set to mark his debut with a goal but the shot cannoned off the body of Cech instead.  

Burley made his first change when stand-in skipper Stephen McManus made way for Christian Dailly to make his 67th appearance.  

And the Rangers utility player could have done better when the Czechs took the lead with an hour gone seconds later. Sionko took Zdenek Pospech's pass on his chest before firing home from just a few yards out. Morrison was replaced by Shaun Maloney, before Gavin Rae made way for Clarkson to earn his first cap.  

Motherwell club-mate McCormack also made a first appearance but time was running out for the Scots.  

The home nation netted again with 83 minutes on the clock when Kadlec, once linked with a move to Celtic, rifled low into the net before Scotland pulled a goal back two minutes later.  

Naysmith was the provider and Clarkson celebrated his first international goal when he switched from his right to his left foot and fired home.  

Sionko then claimed his second of the night with a minute to go when he looped a shot over Gordon.