2006–07 in Scottish football

The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland. [1]

Football in Scotland
Season2006–07
← 2005–06Scotland2007–08 →
2006–07 in Scottish football
Premier League champions
Celtic
First Division champions
Gretna
Second Division champions
Greenock Morton
Third Division champions
Berwick Rangers
Scottish Cup winners
Celtic
League Cup winners
Hibernian
Challenge Cup winners
Ross County
Junior Cup winners
Linlithgow Rose
Teams in Europe
Celtic, Gretna, Hibernian, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers
Scotland national team
UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Notable events

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2006

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  • 9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour as the reason for Ricksen's omission. Ricksen later admitted that he fears for his future at Rangers claiming that the club have other motives for wanting him out.[2] He was later loaned to Russian Premier League club Zenit Saint Petersburg.
  • 29 July: Scotland under-19s lose 2–1 to Spain in the final of the European Under-19 Football Championship.[3]
  • 23 October: In the wake of their 2–0 home defeat to Kilmarnock, Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is given a two-week leave of absence after discussions with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov. Ivanauskas cited ill-health as the reason for his temporary departure. Sporting Director, and former coach of Belarus, Eduard Malofeev is appointed for the interim.[4]
  • 27 October: Hearts' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov states that he will sell players if the club fail to beat Dunfermline Athletic in their forthcoming fixture. Club captain Steven Pressley released a statement shortly after expressing the players' discontent at the current situation at the club.[5]
  • 14 November: After their 1–1 draw away at Falkirk, Hearts announce that interim head coach Eduard Malofeev is to be replaced by FBK Kaunas manager Eugenijus Riabovas, this is to allow Malofeev to pursue his Uefa coaching Pro-licence.[6]
  • 24 November: Valdas Ivanauskas returns as Hearts head-coach.[7]
  • 9 December: Hearts part company with captain Steven Pressley.[8][9]
  • 20 December: Dundee part company with striker Andy McLaren after he was given three red cards in a 2–1 defeat to Clyde.[10]

2007

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  • 1 January: It is reported that Barry Ferguson has been stripped of the captaincy of Rangers and will not play for the club again under Paul Le Guen. Gavin Rae is appointed as the new captain.[11]
  • 2 January: Paul Le Guen confirms that Gavin Rae will be the new Rangers captain. With regard to Barry Ferguson he stated "When you have someone you feel undermines you, it becomes harder and harder".[12] Asked whether Ferguson had been placed on the transfer list, Le Guen said "It remains to be seen. My own position, which is precarious, may have an influence on that."[13]
  • 4 January: Paul Le Guen leaves Rangers by mutual consent after meeting with Rangers chairman Sir David Murray.[14]
  • 8 January: The Scottish Football Association reject an approach from Rangers for manager Walter Smith.[15] A statement from the SFA revealed that Smith had requested to be relieved of his contract, however this was refused following a meeting.[16]
  • 10 January: Walter Smith is confirmed as Rangers manager, having resigned from his position as Scotland manager.[17] The SFA release a statement stating that "No agreement has been reached with Mr Smith or Rangers Football Club on any compensation payment" and "In the absence of agreement, proceedings will require to be raised against Mr Smith for breach of contract and Rangers Football Club for inducement to breach the contract."[18]
  • 11 January: The SFA agree a compensation package with Rangers over manager Walter Smith's switch to Ibrox.[19]
  • 2 March: For the second time of the season, Hearts manager Valdas Ivanauskas is given leave of absence by the club. Sporting Director, and former CSKA Moscow player Anatoly Korobochka is appointed on a temporary basis.[20]
  • 18 March: Hibernian win the Scottish League Cup, defeating Kilmarnock 5–1 in the final.[21]
  • 7 April: Second Division team Forfar Athletic become the first team in Scotland to confirm their relegation following a 9–1 defeat by Greenock Morton.[22]
  • 14 April: Greenock Morton are promoted as champions of the Second Division, despite losing 2–0 to Raith Rovers.[23]
  • 21 April: Berwick Rangers are promoted as champions of the Third Division after a 1–0 win over Arbroath.[24]
  • 22 April: Celtic are crowned Scottish Premier League champions for the second successive season after defeating Kilmarnock 2–1.[25]
  • 28 April: Gretna win promotion to the Premier League as First Division champions after beating Ross County 3–2 at Victoria Park, a result that relegated County to the Second Division.[26]
  • 3 May: East Stirlingshire, having finished bottom of the Third Division for the fifth consecutive season, are told they will lose full member status if the club finish bottom again next season.[27]
  • 5 May: Rangers ensure second place in the SPL and entry to the UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round after defeating Celtic 2–0 at Ibrox.[28]
  • 12 May: Queen's Park gain promotion to the Second Division after defeating East Fife 7–2 on aggregate in the promotion play-off.[29] The Glasgow club swap places with Stranraer who lost to East Fife in the semi-final stage.
  • 12 May: Stirling Albion gain promotion to the First Division, and swap places with Airdrie United, after defeating the North Lanarkshire club 5–4 on aggregate in the promotion/relegation play-off match[30]
The 2007 UEFA Cup Final was played at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
  • 12 May: Dunfermline Athletic are relegated to the First Division. A 2–1 defeat at Inverness,[31] coupled with St Mirren's 3–2 win at Motherwell,[32] meant the Fife club exit the SPL after seven seasons in the top flight.
  • 16 May: Sevilla win the UEFA Cup after defeating Espanyol 3–1 on penalties at Hampden Park. The match had finished 2–2 after 90 minutes.[33]
  • 20 May: Aberdeen seal a UEFA Cup place for next season after defeating Rangers 2–0 at Pittodrie in the final game of the season.[34]
  • 26 May: SPL champions Celtic complete the double after defeating Dunfermline Athletic 1–0 to win the Scottish Cup for the 34th time.[35]

Major transfer deals

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2006

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Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink moved from PSV Eindhoven to Celtic for £3.4m

Celtic made preparations for the Champions League with the high-profile signings of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink from PSV Eindhoven, Jiri Jarosik from Chelsea and Thomas Gravesen from Real Madrid while Stilyan Petrov left to join former boss Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa. Celtic also signed former Rangers striker Kenny Miller on a free transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rangers, under new manager Paul Le Guen, brought in several players including Jérémy Clément from Paris Saint Germain and Filip Sebo from Austria Vienna while Peter Løvenkrands departed for Schalke 04. Hearts paid £200,000 for PAOK Salonika defender Hristos Karipidis and sold Rudi Skácel to Southampton after a dispute between the player and the club. Hibs brought in English League Two defenders Rob Jones and Shelton Martis but lost last season's top scorer Derek Riordan who joined Celtic.

Domestic

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2007

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Celtic further strengthened their squad with the signings of Paul Hartley from Hearts and Mark Brown from Inverness, while Steven Pressley was also signed after being released by Hearts. Shaun Maloney joined Aston Villa after contract negotiations broke down. New Rangers manager Walter Smith brought in defenders David Weir, Andy Webster and Ugo Ehiogu and spent £2m on Hibs' highly rated midfielder Kevin Thomson. Hearts looked to boost their European qualification hopes with the signing of a further four players on loan from FBK Kaunas as well as Laryea Kingston from Terek Grozny. New Dunfermline boss Stephen Kenny brought in loan signings James O'Brien from Celtic, Adam Hammill from Liverpool and Stephen Glass from Hibs with the club bottom of the SPL.

Domestic

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Managerial changes

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TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyReplaced byDate of appointment
Motherwell Terry ButcherResigned17 May 2006[36] Maurice Malpas4 August 2006[36]
Dundee Alan KernaghanSacked20 April 2006[37] Alex Rae24 May 2006[38]
Raith Rovers Gordon DalzielMutual consent1 September 2006 Craig Levein5 September 2006[39]
Hibernian Tony MowbrayResigned13 October 2006[40] John Collins31 October 2006[41]
Cowdenbeath Mixu PaatelainenResigned21 October 2006[42] Brian Welsh30 October 2006[43]
Dunfermline Athletic Jim LeishmanResigned26 October 2006[44] Stephen Kenny18 November 2006[45]
Dundee United Craig BrewsterSacked29 October 2006[46] Craig Levein30 October 2006[47]
Raith Rovers Craig LeveinResigned30 October 2006[47] John McGlynn20 November 2006[48]
Stenhousemuir Des McKeownResigned1 November 2006[49] Campbell Money10 November 2006[50]
Airdrie United Sandy StewartSacked13 November 2006[51] Kenny Black17 November 2006[52]
Rangers Paul Le GuenMutual consent4 January 2007[14] Walter Smith10 January 2007[17]
Scotland Walter SmithResigned10 January 2007[17] Alex McLeish29 January 2007[53]
Montrose David RobertsonResigned17 January 2007[54] Jim Weir8 February 2007[55]
Ayr United Bobby ConnorSacked26 February 2007[56] Neil Watt22 March 2007[57]
Heart of Midlothian Valdas IvanauskasMutual consent20 March 2007[58] Anatoly Korobochka30 July 2007[59]
Partick Thistle Dick CampbellSacked27 March 2007[60] Ian McCall25 May 2007[61]
Livingston John RobertsonSacked15 April 2007[62] Mark Proctor23 May 2007[63]
Queen of the South Ian McCallResigned28 April 2007[64] Gordon Chisholm7 May 2007[65]
Ross County Scott LeitchResigned30 April 2007[66] Dick Campbell17 May 2007[67]
Albion Rovers Jim ChapmanSacked7 May 2007[68] John McCormack31 May 2007[69]

League competitions

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Scottish Premier League

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation[a]
1Celtic (C)3826666534+3184Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
2Rangers3821986132+2972Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
3Aberdeen38198115538+1765Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4Heart of Midlothian381710114735+1261
5Kilmarnock38167154754−755
6Hibernian381310155646+1049
7Falkirk38155184947+250
8Inverness Caledonian Thistle381113144248−646
9Dundee United381012164059−1942
10Motherwell38108204161−2038
11St Mirren38812183151−2036
12Dunfermline Athletic (R)3888222655−2932Relegation to the Scottish First Division and
qualification for UEFA Cup second qualifying round[b]
Source: Scottish Professional Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six) for the last five matches.
  2. ^ As Celtic, the Scottish Cup winners, qualified for the Champions League via their league position, the place in the UEFA Cup was passed to Dunfermline Athletic, the cup runner-up.

Scottish First Division

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Gretna (C, P)3619987040+3066Promotion to the Premier League
2St Johnstone3619896542+2365
3Dundee36165154842+653
4Hamilton Academical361411114647−153
5Clyde361114114635+1147
6Livingston361112134146−545
7Partick Thistle36129154763−1645
8Queen of the South361011153454−2041
9Airdrie United (R)36117183950−1140Qualification for the First Division Play-offs
10Ross County (R)36910174057−1737Relegation to the Second Division
Source: "2006-2007 First Division - SPFL Archive". SPFL. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Scottish Second Division

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Greenock Morton (C, P)3624577632+4477Promotion to the First Division
2Stirling Albion (P)3621696739+2869Qualification for the First Division Play-offs[a]
3Raith Rovers36188105033+1762
4Brechin City36186126145+1660
5Ayr United36148144647−150
6Cowdenbeath36136175956+345
7Alloa Athletic36119164770−2342
8Peterhead36118176062−241
9Stranraer (R)36109174574−2939Qualification for the Second Division Play-offs[b]
10Forfar Athletic (R)3647253790−5319Relegation to the Third Division
Source: "2006–2007 Second Division - SPFL Archive". SPFL (in Malay). Retrieved 29 April 2021.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ The 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams will be entered into a play-off with the First Division's 9th placed team. The winning team were awarded a place in the 2007–08 First Division, Airdrie United were relegated and Stirling Albion were promoted.
  2. ^ The 9th placed team were entered into a play-off with the Third Division's 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams. The winning team were awarded a place in the 2007–08 Second Division, Stranraer were relegated and Queen's Park were promoted.

Scottish Third Division

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or qualification
1Berwick Rangers (C, P)3624395129+2275Promotion to the Second Division
2Arbroath36224106133+2870Qualification for the Second Division Play-offs[a]
3Queen's Park (O, P)36215105728+2968
4East Fife3620795937+2267
5Dumbarton36185135237+1559
6Albion Rovers36146165661−548
7Stenhousemuir36135185363−1044
8Montrose36114214262−2037
9Elgin City3692253969−3029
10East Stirlingshire3663272778−5121
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ The 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams will be entered into a play-off with the Second Division's 9th placed team. The winning team will be awarded a place in the 2007–08 Second Division, Stranraer were relegated and Queen's Park were promoted.

Cup honours

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CompetitionWinnerScoreRunner-upReport
Scottish Cup 2006–07Celtic1 – 0Dunfermline AthleticWikipedia article
League Cup 2006–07Hibernian5 – 1KilmarnockWikipedia article
Challenge Cup 2006–07Ross County1 – 1 (a.e.t.)
(5 – 4 pen.)
ClydeWikipedia article
Youth CupRangers5 – 0Celtic
Junior Cup 2006–07Linlithgow Rose2 – 1 (a.e.t.)Kelty HeartsThe Herald

Non-league honours

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Senior honours

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CompetitionWinner
Highland League 2006–07Keith
East of Scotland LeagueAnnan Athletic
South of Scotland LeagueThreave Rovers

Junior honours

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West Region

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DivisionWinner
Premier LeaguePollok
Division OneIrvine Meadow XI
Ayrshire LeagueKilbirnie Ladeside
Central League Division OneKirkintilloch Rob Roy
Central League Division TwoAshfield

East Region

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DivisionWinner
Super LeagueLinlithgow Rose
Premier LeagueGlenrothes
North DivisionForfar West End
Central DivisionDundonald Bluebell
South DivisionNewtongrange Star

North Region

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DivisionWinner
Premier LeagueCulter
Division OneEast End
Division TwoFochabers

Individual honours

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SPFA awards

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AwardWinnerTeam
Players' Player of the Year Shunsuke NakamuraCeltic
Young Player of the Year Steven NaismithKilmarnock
Manager of the Year Gordon StrachanCeltic

SWFA awards

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AwardWinnerTeam
Footballer of the Year Shunsuke NakamuraCeltic
Young player of the Year Scott BrownHibernian
Manager of the Year Gordon StrachanCeltic

Scottish clubs in Europe

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Summary

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ClubCompetition(s)ProgressCoef.
CelticUEFA Champions LeagueRound of 1611.00
Heart of MidlothianUEFA Champions League
UEFA Cup
Third qualifying round
First round
2.50
RangersUEFA CupRound of 1613.00
GretnaUEFA CupSecond qualifying round0.50
HibernianUEFA Intertoto CupThird roundN/A

Average coefficient – 6.750

Celtic

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[70]Celtic scorer(s)Report
Champions League Group stage
13 SeptemberOld Trafford, Manchester (A) Manchester United2–3Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Shunsuke NakamuraBBC Sport
26 SeptemberCeltic Park, Glasgow (H) FC Copenhagen1–0Kenny Miller (pen.)BBC Sport
17 OctoberCeltic Park, Glasgow (H) Benfica3–0Kenny Miller (2), Stephen PearsonBBC Sport
1 NovemberEstádio da Luz, Lisbon (A) Benfica0–3BBC Sport
21 NovemberCeltic Park, Glasgow (H) Manchester United (H)1–0Shunsuke NakamuraBBC Sport
6 DecemberParken Stadium, Copenhagen (A) FC Copenhagen1–3Jiří JarošíkBBC Sport
Champions League Round of 16
20 FebruaryCeltic Park, Glasgow (H) A.C. Milan0–0BBC Sport
7 MarchSan Siro, Milan (A) A.C. Milan0–1 (a.e.t.)BBC Sport

Heart of Midlothian

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[70]Hearts scorer(s)Report
Champions League Second qualifying round
26 JulyMurrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (H) NK Široki Brijeg3–0Branimir Anic (o.g.), Ibrahim Tall, Roman BednářBBC Sport
2 AugustPecara Stadium, Široki Brijeg (A) NK Široki Brijeg0–0BBC Sport
Champions League Third qualifying round
9 AugustMurrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (H) AEK Athens1–2Saulius MikoliunasBBC Sport
23 AugustOlympic Stadium, Athens (A) AEK Athens0–3BBC Sport
UEFA Cup First round
14 SeptemberMurrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (H) Sparta Prague0–2BBC Sport
28 SeptemberAXA Arena, Prague (A) Sparta Prague0–0BBC Sport

Rangers

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[70]Rangers scorer(s)Report
UEFA Cup First round
14 SeptemberAker stadion, Molde (A) Molde FK0–0BBC Sport
28 SeptemberIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (H) Molde FK2–0Thomas Buffel, Barry FergusonBBC Sport
UEFA Cup Group stage
19 OctoberStadio Armando Picchi, Livorno (A) Livorno3–2Charlie Adam, Kris Boyd (pen.), Nacho NovoBBC Sport
2 NovemberIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (H) Maccabi Haifa2–0Nacho Novo, Charlie Adam (pen.)BBC Sport
23 NovemberStade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre (A) Auxerre2–2Nacho Novo, Kris BoydBBC Sport
14 DecemberIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (H) Partizan Belgrade1–0Alan HuttonBBC Sport
UEFA Cup Round of 32
14 FebruaryBloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv (A) Hapoel Tel Aviv1–2Nacho NovoBBC Sport
22 FebruaryIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (H) Hapoel Tel Aviv4–0Barry Ferguson (2), Kris Boyd, Charlie AdamBBC Sport
UEFA Cup Round of 16
8 MarchIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (H) Osasuna1–1Brahim HemdaniBBC Sport
14 MarchEstadio Reyno de Navarra, Pamplona (A) Osasuna0–1BBC Sport

Gretna

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[70]Gretna scorer(s)Report
UEFA Cup Second qualifying round
10 AugustFir Park, Motherwell (H) Derry City1–5Ryan McGuffieBBC Sport
24 AugustBrandywell Stadium, Derry (A) Derry City2–2David Graham, Ryan BaldacchinoBBC Sport

Hibernian

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[70]Hibernian scorer(s)Report
UEFA Intertoto Cup Second round
2 JulyEaster Road, Edinburgh (H) Dinaburg5–0Chris Killen, Scott Brown, Ivan Sproule, David Murphy, Steven FletcherBBC Sport
8 JulyCeltnieks Stadium, Daugavpils (A) Dinaburg3–0Amadou Konte (2), Ivan SprouleBBC Sport
UEFA Intertoto Cup Third round
15 JulyFionia Park, Odense (A) Odense BK0–1BBC Sport
22 JulyEaster Road, Edinburgh (H) Odense BK2–1Rob Jones, Paul DalglishBBC Sport

Scotland national team

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DateVenueOpponentsScore[71]CompetitionScotland scorer(s)Report
2 SeptemberCeltic Park, Glasgow (H)  Faroe Islands6–0ECQ(B)Darren Fletcher, James McFadden, Kris Boyd (2, 1 pen.),
Kenny Miller (pen.), Garry O'Connor
BBC Sport
6 SeptemberS Dariaus ir S.Gireno SC, Kaunas (A)  Lithuania2–1ECQ(B)Christian Dailly, Kenny MillerBBC Sport
7 OctoberHampden Park, Glasgow (H)  France1–0ECQ(B)Gary CaldwellBBC Sport
11 OctoberOlympic Stadium, Kyiv (A)  Ukraine0–2ECQ(B)BBC Sport
24 MarchHampden Park, Glasgow (H)  Georgia2–1ECQ(B)Kris Boyd, Craig BeattieBBC Sport
28 MarchStadio San Nicola, Bari (A)  Italy0–2ECQ(B)BBC Sport
30 MayGerhard Hanappi Stadium, Vienna (A)  Austria1–0FriendlyGarry O'ConnorBBC Sport
6 JuneSvangaskard Stadium, Toftir (A)  Faroe Islands2–0ECQ(B)Shaun Maloney, Garry O'ConnorBBC Sport
Key
  • (H) = Home match
  • (A) = Away match
  • ECQ(B) = European Championship qualifying (Group B)

Deaths

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References

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