Vogts voices approval

Gareth Williams made a promising Scotland debut

Scotland coach Berti Vogts may have lost his first match on home soil, but the German was far from disappointed after a good showing against World Cup-bound Nigeria.

Vogts handed first caps to no less than seven players and a further three men were making just their second appearance in dark blue.

The inexperienced Scots pushed the Nigerians all the way and went ahead through a Christian Dailly header before a brace from the impressive Julius Aghahowe nudged the classy visitors in front.

A full house at Pittodrie cheered the new-look Scotland side on for ninety minutes and gave both sides a noisy ovation after an entertaining match.

"I'm happy with the performance," said Vogts.

"I'm not so happy with the result. I think a draw would have been a fairer result.

We made only two mistakes and we lost the game

Berti Vogts

"We have played against a very strong team."

Vogts had called for more passion from his players following the 5-0 hammering from France in his first game in charge and he thanked the Aberdeen crowd for their contribution.

"The supporters gave us a lot of passion," the German continued.

"The Tartan Army did well for us and I think it was a great night for Scottish football - only it was a bad result.

"We made only two mistakes and we lost the game.

"Robert Douglas played well and had no chance with the goals. He is a good goalkeeper."

Vogts also heaped praise on fellow debutant Kevin McNaughton of Aberdeen who linked well with Middlesbrough's Robbie Stockdale in the first half and was full of running.

Dundee United striker Steven Thompson, who started for the first time, was another who put in an impressive shift.

The exhausted Thompson was replaced after 75 minutes by Garry O'Connor, the 18-year-old Hibernian striker and the teenager did enough in a short spell to suggest a bright future.

Steven Thompson was full of running

"Kevin McNaughton did well and Garry O'Connor and also Stevie Thompson - he worked very hard for a striker," said Vogts.

Graham Alexander replaced Stockdale at half time for his first taste of international football and put in a solid display.

English-based midfielders Gareth Williams and Michael Stewart also looked like good young prospects.

Substitute Gary Caldwell, in his second outing, was given the task of marking Kanu and kept the Arsenal star quiet in the second half.

Vogts will now select a squad to tour the Far East in May.

After pointing out the absence of players such as Barry Ferguson, Don Hutchison, Craig Burley and Gary Naysmith, the coach concluded: "We have a good quality in the squad. After the summer tour I think we will be ready for the (Euro 2004) qualification (matches)."