Naysmith fears German thrashing

Vogts' men lost their way against New Zealand

Gary Naysmith admits Scotland will have to improve drastically to avoid taking a heavy beating in their Euro 2004 qualifier against Germany on 7 June.

Scotland could only manage a 1-1 draw with New Zealand at Tynecastle on Tuesday night.

And Everton midfielder Naysmith believes Berti Vogts' men will pay dearly if they turn in a similar display against Germany at Hampden Park.

"If we make any mistakes against Germany they will punish us very heavily," said Naysmith.

"Mistakes have cost us again. I don't know why it's happening, because we were conscious of it and had even discussed it.

It's hard enough without giving away goals and to do it against top teams would cost us dearly

Gary Naysmith

"But we face Germany next week and we just cannot afford to make any mistakes against a quality team.

"We are not a good enough team to make mistakes and get away with it.

"It's hard enough without giving away goals, and to do it against top teams would cost us dearly."

Match report:
Scotland 1-1 New Zealand

Scotland scored first through Stevie Crawford but lost their way in the second half after Ryan Nelson equalised for New Zealand.

"We started well, I thought in the first half, and scored with Stevie Crawford's early goal," Naysmith told the Glasgow Evening Times.

"And it looked then as if we were going to score two or three, but we just never got that second goal.

"Then, just after half-time, New Zealand got the equaliser which boosted them and they came right back at us."