Andrew: "This is classic Scotland. Play some awful stuff against the minnows Peru and Iran, then we up our game against the big boys when it's all-but too late. We have the beating of Holland today, mark my words."

PPE.Org: "This is making me really look forward to the ... Euro qualifying."

It's too early to look to the bench, surely, but how about Derek Johnstone to make a second-half appearance if the Scotland goals don't come soon? We've seen him crack in 37 goals for Rangers on their way to the domestic treble this season, yet he has intimated to Ally MacLeod that he has "certain limits, including a lack of mobility, for playing up front". He sees himself as a central defender.

Netherlands pounce on a Scotland mistake in midfield but Alan Rough sprints from his line to claim the ball... Outside of his area... With his hands. Referee Erich Linemayr awards the free kick and Rough is fortunate not to receive a yellow card for that galloping crime.

David Alsatian: "Ref's having a shocker. He has already missed 23 free-kicks for back passes."

Zico: "Pitch doesn't look in the best condition. Can see a couple of penalties today if players aren't careful..."

Alan Rough bravely comes to claim a Dutch header in the box and is clattered by Jonnny Rep. The Scotland keeper keeps hold of the ball and is okay to continue. Nervous moments, though, and an indication of the danger posed by Netherlands.

With the match still level at 0-0, let's have a look at some of the players Ally MacLeod left back home. Could any of these players have made a difference? Danny McGrain (injured), Neil McNab of Spurs, Dave Narey, Paul Hegarty and Graham Payne of Dundee United, St Mirren's Tony Fitzpatrick and Frank McGarvey, John Wark of Ipswich, Celtic's Roy Aitken, John Brownlie of Hibs, keeper Dave Stewart, Frank Gray and Arthur Graham of Leeds, Andy Gray of Aston Villa?

The Dutch are absorbing this Scottish pressure superbly and most of Happel's side featured in the 1974 World Cup final defeat by West Germany. This is no easy task...

Commentator David Coleman

"Graeme Souness: he's made such a difference..."

Image source, SNS

Manchester United centre-half Gordon McQueen, a favourite with the Tartan Army after that winning header in last year's 2-1 triumph over England at Wembley, has not featured at this World Cup because of a knee injury. Fingers crossed Scotland can progress along with Peru from the group stages and McQueen can propel his country into the last four...or better.

From an indirect just outside the box, Graeme Souness trots up like a flamenco dancer before fizzing in a cross but the Dutch are equal to the task and repel the danger. Ernst Happel's men are squeezing, squeezing the play and making it difficult for the Scots to penetrate.

Now it's the Dutch who are on the offensive, substitute Johan Boskamp sees his drive blocked but Netherlands fail to profit from the subsequent corner.

You get the feeling there's a goal on the way...

Willie Donachie pings a ball forward but the Dutch are alive to the danger as the Scots attempt to find a way to breach this determined rearguard.

Guy: "Gemmill is way past his best. What is MacLeod thinking? Totally wrong decision there Ally."

Jenni: "We went out of our last World Cup group on goal difference, please please please Scotland, don't do the same again this time around. I don't think my heart could take beating Holland, but still end up going out of the World Cup."

Stu: "Ref missed that backpass to keeper! Time for video technology in game."

Andrew: "This is classic Scotland. Play some awful stuff against the minnows Peru and Iran, then we up our game against the big boys when it's all-but too late. We have the beating of Holland today, mark my words."

The Dutch have three points from their opening two games and have yet to concede a goal. But they so nearly fall behind as Scotland scramble the ball on the edge of the area but the Netherlands somehow survive.

The cry of "Scotland, Scotland" begins to reverberate around the stadium.

This performance is far better than what we've witnessed in the first two matches of the campaign, which is arguably Scotland's worst visit to the other side of the Atlantic since the Darien Scheme on the Isthmus of Panama in the 1690s. This is much more like it, though of course Scotland need to win by three clear goals.

Graeme Souness, who is seeing a lot of the ball in midfield, tries to thread a ball through to Joe Jordan but once again the Dutch offside trap ensnares the unsuspecting Scots.

The Scots continue to press and Bruce Rioch does well to set up Kenny Dalglish who fizzes a shot wide. "this is so much better," chimes an optimistic David Coleman. Dare the Scots dream the unthinkable? They look like a different side from that which disappointed against Peru and Iran.

Kenny Dalglish has put the Scots in front! No, wait, it's been disallowed for a foul...

A long thump up the park from Alan Rough skids off a Dutch head and Kenny Dalglish in on to the loose ball in a flash, sticking out a leg to prod the ball past advancing keeper Jan Jongloed from the edge of the penalty area. But referee Erich Linemayr says no, ruling that the Liverpool forward committed a foul in the process of wriggling free of his marker.

Yet again, a promising Scotland attack deep into Dutch territory is brought to an abrupt halt by the offside flag.