Scotland v Macedonia as it happened

Craig Levein's dark shades may have shielded his eyes from the Hampden glare but it won't have saved his ears from the criticism he and his team received in the wake of the goalless draw against Serbia.

Levein insists that the point from Saturday's game may prove crucial come the end of the campaign. Nevertheless, he's made three changes for tonight's game against Macedonia at Hampden.

No, Andy Murray won't play just off of Kenny Miller. But Jamie Mackie, Shaun Maloney and James Forrest have come in for Charlie Adam, Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith.

Will that mean a 4-4-2 formation rather than 4-1-4-1?

With two points already dropped, the Scots have unleashed some attacking talent - minus Jordan Rhodes - to face Macedonia.

Scotland manager Craig Levein has been speaking to the ubiquitous Sportsound pundit Chick Young about his team changes...

"Macedonia play very narrow and it'll be difficult to play through the middle of them. That's why we've brought in Forrest and Mackie.

"It was a tiredness thing with (Charlie Adam) and Naisy is the same. I feel he can maybe help us coming off the bench. I think James Forrest's pace will be important tonight.

"Looking back, (to the Serbia game) I maybe should've made changes 10 to 15 minutes earlier.

"We got a point against a decent side and there's still 27 points to play for. Yet, some people have us out; it's nuts."

"Macedonia will sit in and hit us on the counter. We'll need to be patient and if we win the game in the last minute, it's the same as winning it in the first.

"This is a game we're looking to win and improve as the tournament goes on.

"We'd love the three points. I can understand the fans singing for Jordan Rhodes coming on but it's the 11 on the pitch that are the most important.

"Unity is really important to me and we desperately want to put on a show tonight."

Macedonia, who lost 1-0 against Croatia in their opening match in Group A, have no fresh injury concerns.

Midfielder Velice Sumulikoski, of Chinese Superleague side Tianjin Teda, is available after serving the last game of a suspension.

Zulte Waregem striker Aleksandar Trajkovski was switched to the Under-21s and Vardar midfielder Ostoja Stjepanovikj did not travel because of visa issues, but neither featured against Croatia.

Scotland's defence will be wary of the threat posed by Napoli striker Darko Pandev, who has scored 25 goals for the national side.

Scotland striker Kenny Miller will captain the side tonight. Will the veteran hitman find the net? Is victory crucial to the national side's hopes of booking their place at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil?

Calm has been restored in the BBC Sportsound pundit nerve centre: they were locking horns over the wisdom of Blackburn's in-form striker Jordan Rhodes starting the game on the bench with Kenny Miller retaining his place.

Sparks flew but, thankfully, they have agreed to disagree...

Can Scotland can bottle some of the Andy Murray magic that lit up the Big Apple last night and amazed the Flushing Meadows crowd?

Will Sir Sean Connery be pictured in the Hampden stand tonight? Will Kevin Spacey be behind the dugout? We need celebrity spotters...

"It was the area (of the team) Craig had to change because he felt they didn't perform to the best of their abilities.

"You want to give the opposition respect but not too much. We sat off Serbia and hopefully we'll score goals tonight."

Speaking to "Chico" earlier, Scotland manager Craig Levein stressed the need for patience tonight. He believes Macedonia will sit in and attempt to frustrate the Scots before hitting them on the break.

Could US Open champion Andy Murray use his racket to good effect and swat away any dangerous Goran Pandev shots?

How are the nerves bearing up? Must confess my earlier tiredness - having stayed up to watch Andy Murray's thrilling victory - has been replaced by a gnawing anxiety about tonight's game.

Scotland are going to win this, aren't they?

BBC Sportsound asked a number of Scotland supporters heading to Hampden whether they remained supportive of manager Craig Levein. They all agreed they were and urged their fellow fans to get behind the national boss.

Mike in Aberdeen: "Well done BBC, the interview of those fans opinions is real life....the vicious anti-Levein rubbish is internet trolls! When are the media going to realise, parasites stirring up hatred on the internet are NOT worthy of news!"

One change to the Macedonian line up to report: Mirko Ivanovski of Astra Ploiesti replaces Maribor's Agim Ibraimi up front.

"Hampden is gently filling up as kick-off approaches but it looks as though it'll be a fair distance short of capacity.

"Scotland failed to capture the fans' imagination on Saturday and that's clearly affected the turnout tonight. The players must know they need to come out of the blocks quickly and get the crowd behind them."

Croatia have gone 1-0 up against Belgium and Serbia have doubled their lead at home to Wales.

With the national anthems out of the way, get a comfy seat and prepare for kick off...

We're under way at Hampden and the Tartan Army are in fine voice.

"We'll walk a million miles for one of your goals," sing the Scotland fans. Great atmosphere inside the national stadium despite a fair number of empty seats.

And US champion Andy Murray's name reverberates around Hampden following his heroics in New York. Wonder what odds you'd get on the Dunblane man being first scorer and 2-1 Scotland?

Scotland captain Kenny Miller spins round Macedonia's Sikov but is chopped down in the process. An early free-kick for the hosts...

The hosts fashion the first chance of the game: Alan Hutton finds Kenny Miller and the striker's dink enables Gary Caldwell to fire in a 25-yard shot that misses the target.

Promising stuff, though, from Craig Levein's men.

What was that I was saying? Macedonia, with their first foray forward, put Scotland under real pressure and Trickovski's shot is deflected wide for a corner.

Nervy moments for the hosts but it remains goalless after seven minutes.

Oh, Kenny Miller. An inviting ball played into the back post by Jamie Mackie catches the veteran striker on his heels and Macedonia repel the danger. Howls of anguish from the Scotland fans...

The Tartan Army seem momentarily stunned by that goal, not unlike the static Scotland defence. Craig Levein comes to the edge of his technical area to roar some tactical instructions to his shell-shocked troops.

Goran Pandev, the Napoli striker, is justifying his number 10 jersey as he begins to thread passes to team-mates and pull the strings on the immaculate Hampden turf.

Thought Macedonia were going to sit in and try to frustrate the Scots? The visitors, 97th in the world rankings, don't look as though they should be 50 places below Craig Levein's side...

BBC Sportsound pundit Willie Miller is urging Scotland to sharpen up their passing. A dazed hush has enveloped the national stadium.

More concern for Scotland as the visitors establish a zest and rhythm to their passing, Ibraimi flashes a 20-yard shot wide of Allan McGregor's goal.

Can I watch the rest of the first half from behind the couch please?

Boos from the Scotland fans as Ibraimi takes a great touch on the edge of the area but his shot lacks conviction. The Scots need to raise the tempo and get back into this game.

Meanwhile, Group A rivals Wales trail Serbia 3-1 and Croatia lead Belgium by a goal to nil.

"That's three corners now and they got their goal from one. They're proving dangerous"

"That was the kind of shin-high challenge that can break a leg. Paul Dixon can count himself lucky not to be more seriously injured"

Before Scotland's double header against Serbia and Macedonia, it was the Serbs who were widely tipped to prove the more dangerous opponents. But Macedonia, worryingly, are playing some great stuff and look dangerous with every foray into Scottish territory.

"Hampden is not a happy place right now. The supporters are unwilling to accept watching their side outplayed by a team ranked 50 places below them. Every Macedonia attack brings a massive chorus of boos for the Scots."

What a save! Allan McGregor prevents a rampant Macedonia from doubling their lead, denying Ibraimi with a sharp save with his legs.

Andy Webster flashes a header wide of Bogatinov's goal. If only Scotland had someone with the composure of number 10 Pandev, who is proving a real thorn in Scotland's side.

Shaun Maloney has a free-kick about 20 yards from goal...

... the pint-sized Wigan midfielder's effort is parried by Bogatinov and the visitors clear the danger. Scotland are in desperate need of a wee bit of magic.

"Shaun Maloney and Jamie Mackie are doing their best to lift Scotland, but they're not getting a lot of help. And once again Craig Levein has to be thankful to Allan McGregor for keeping the score down."

Macedonia are forced into a change, the impressive number 7 Trickovski is stretchered off injured and is replaced by Hasani.

Will that change disrupt the visitors? Scotland are lacking a swagger and confidence to get on the ball and give Macedonia's defence something to think about.

Macedonian substitute Hasani goes into the book for a scything challenge on Alan Hutton. But the Scots once again fail to profit from an enterprising position. The paint will be stripped off the walls in the home dressing room at half-time unless the Scots can carve out a quickfire double before the break.

"There's no better time to get a goal if you're Craig Levein. The first half hasn't been good enough."

What will Craig Levein be saying to his troops at half-time? The hairdryer may be getting a bit of overtime. Surely Scotland will look hungrier in the second half?

"As soon as we scored, you could see the crowd lifted. I think Scotland were taken aback by the quality shown by Macedonia."

"I put it to Craig Levein yesterday that the players should show a bit more swagger and self-belief. He agreed, but they didn't do that until the last 10 minutes of that half, and that's when they started to look dangerous. Got to be more of that second half."

We're under way in the second half, can Scotland find their feet and form?

Scotland left back Paul Dixon, showing no signs of that earlier fierce challenge by Ibraimi, tests Bogatinov with a low, curling drive. The Scots have their tails up here...

The second half is only three minutes old but the game is stretched as both teams chase a second goal. Compulsive if harrowing viewing for Scotland fans.

Scotland spurn another corner as Macedonia clear their lines. These are nervous, nervous times.

Meanwhile, Serbia lead Wales 5-1.

Every ball into the Scotland penalty area has me twitching like Chief Inspector Dreyfuss in the Pink Panther.

Scotland manager Craig Levein shuffles his pack: goalscorer Kenny Miller is replaced by Charlie Adam. The Stoke City midfielder is on a matter of seconds before icing Goran Pandev as the number 10 tore into Scotland territory. Nerves. Shot. To. Pieces.

Euan Bell: "I can only assume that Adam, Naismith, Snodgrass are carrying slight knocks to have been dropped to the bench. #baffled"

Craig Levein said before the game that Adam and Naismith were tired and Snodgrass was on the bench because he wanted more pace in the side.

"That substitution of Charlie Adam for Kenny Miller doesn't change the system Scotland are playing, but the rumblings among the fans suggest they wanted something more attack-minded."

Serbia are now 6-1 up against a frazzled Wales. Is Robbie Savage in goal for the visitors?

The Scotland fans get the substitute they crave, Jordan Rhodes trots on for James Morrison. Can the Scots somehow win this game?

What a chance! Jordan Rhodes comes within a whisker of heading Scotland in front, stooping down to guide a Charlie Adam cross agonisingly wide of goal. The Blackburn striker has lifted the entire stadium...

"We are very fortunate to still be in this game. It should be beyond us given the opportunities Macedonia have had. Craig Levein had to do something and now the fans have got their way"

The Scotland fans try to lift the side; the next 20 minutes could prove crucial to Scotland's chances of making an impression in 2014 World Cup qualifying Group A.

Craig Levein and his backroom staff are deep in discussion as to the best form of attack.

Allan McGregor to the rescue again! The Besiktas goalkeeper thwarts Ivanovski after the Macedonia striker was played in beautifully by man-of-the-match contender Pandev.

Macedonia number 10 Goran Pandev - yes, that man again - orchestrates another attack for the visitors but Scotland keeper Allan McGregor - yes, him again - claims a corner.

We've got 15 minutes remaining for either side to score a dramatic winner...

Winger James Forrest whips in an inviting cross to the back post but substitute Jordan Rhodes can't get his noggin on it. Steven Naismith is on for Jamie Mackie as Scotland probe for an opening.

Scotland are getting the ball forward as quickly as possible but their attacks, so far, are lacking the craft to pierce this resolute Macedonia rearguard. Seven minutes plus added time remaining at an emotionally taut Hampden.

Alan Hutton rampages down the right and his cross eventually finds its way to Shaun Maloney but Scotland are unable to profit.

Macedonia aren't committing as many men forward: are they content to leave Glasgow with a point?

Steven Naismith feeds Allan Hutton but the full-back loses possession and Macedonia surge forward; Pandev's shot is deflected by Christophe Berra and a relieved Allan McGregor collects.

Two minutes plus added time remaining at a quiet Hampden. The earlier hope following Kenny Miller's equaliser has been replaced by a stunned acceptance. Scotland assistant boss Peter Houston said four points from the opening two games was the target. Are the Scots going to have to settle for two?

We've got three minutes of added time. The red shirts of Macedonia are retaining possession and fizzing the ball about the pitch with relative ease. Scotland need to bare their teeth.

Charlie Adam's corner is punched clear by Bogatinov and Macedonia clear the danger. A ripple of boos from inside the national stadium. Not long remaining...

Scotland have taken two points from a possible six. Two home games against Serbia and Macedonia fail to yield a victory; next up are trips to Wales and Belgium.

Frankie Miller's Caledonia booms out around an emptying Hampden as the Scotland players, heads bowed, trudge dejectedly up the tunnel.

A song that tugs at the old heart strings but a real flat note for Scotland tonight and a savage blow to our hopes of kicking up sand in Rio in 2014.

"I don't think we started well and there wasn't a lot of movement off the ball. I thought their goal may have been offside.

"The boys can do better but you also need the correct decisions. It (qualification) will be difficult; we knew that but no-one should throw the towel in. We won't, and we've got eight games to go now."

"I dont' think it's right to be calling for the manager's head. Let's see where we are after the Wales and Belgium games. The players like Craig Levein's training methods and his manner; there isn't a magic wand unfortunately"

"I look at the league table and we're two points off the top. I'm disappointed but not disheartened.

"I'd hoped to have won the match and we could've been joint top."

"The pressure is nothing compared to what I put on myself. I want to get Scotland to a major tournament, we can do better and I want us to do better in the next match.

"Every team can take points off of each other but we're still hanging in there. It's about being positive and looking forward to the next game."

Scotland face Wales in Cardiff on 12 October before facing a trip to Belgium four days later.

If you can bear to watch, there are highlights of the draw with Macedonia tonight on BBC One Scotland at 22:35 BST.

Your Call with Jim Traynor is getting under way on BBC Radio Scotland 810 MW.

How do you assess Scotland's chances in the group? Is there a tactical change you would make for next month's double header against Wales and Belgium?

Send me your views via text to 80295 or Twitter using #bbcsportsound or message @bbcthomasmcg

I'll keep the live text rumbling on until 23:00 BST.

Apart from goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who was superb in denying Macedonia a second goal, who impressed you for Scotland tonight?

"It's not ideal, we set out to get six points and we've come away with two draws. We're bitterly disappointed because it was two home games and we've had good home form, but it's gone now.

"Saturday we felt we played well enough but tonight the performance was well below par.

"We need to play with a quicker tempo, we weren't up to speed in the first half and it took the goal to give us a little shake. The performance as a whole was not where we want to be and we paid the penalty for that."

Scotland manager Craig Levein remains keen to accentuate the positive following draws against Serbia at Macedonia, stressing that his side are only two points off the top of Group A.

However, with trips to Wales and Belgium next month, the Scots will be desperate to string victories together to boost their chances of making the trip to Brazil in 2014.

And the boos of some fans inside Hampden signalled the Tartan Army's frustration.

Thanks for your company, we'll be back on Friday for Dundee Utd v Ross County and five SPL games on Saturday.

Hope you can join us then, cheers.