Dailly excels in new role

Yet, here was Dailly back in his utility man role, being pushed out wide on the left in a position he had never filled before - but one which he filled with distinction against the South Americans.

In his earlier years, Dailly's versatility seemed to work against him. He was played in a variety of positions at club and international level and it is only now, since his transfer to Derby County, that he has settled into a central defensive role with the Premiership club.

Now, manager Craig Brown has decided to utilise his talents in yet another position and Dailly does not have the slightest complaint with that decision.

He said: ''I know I used to get moved around a lot when I was younger, but this is different. It's not as if I am playing for a pub team or something - I am playing for my country and if Craig Brown wants to play me in a different position in every game then it won't worry me. This is the greatest honour a player can get and I'm just happy to be in the side, no matter where I'm played.''

The player did admit that he is happiest playing in the centre of the defence but added: ''This was the first time I had been used in that particular position and there are others who can take over there, such as Tom Boyd and Tosh McKinlay, so I know I have a fight on my hands to stay in the team.''

As for the penalty incident, Dailly said: ''It was a mistake and I felt gutted but the team refused to

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let it get to them. They just went up the field and scored then scored again. That made me feel a whole lot better.''

Dailly is one of the younger players Brown has introduced and along with another of a similar age, Jackie McNamara, he looked good against Colombia.

Indeed, both caused problems for the South Americans, who found it hard to cope with the width the Scots gave to their game.

It was no surprise when team captain Colin Hendry emerged from the dressing room to reveal: ''There is a real feeling of dis-appointment in the dressing room. A lot of the lads are down because they know this was a game we might have won.

''However, I think the important thing was that the performance was good.

''For an hour we were in control and I thought we handled the refereeing business well against difficult opponents.

''I know we still have some work to do on that and we are all interested in hearing what the Scottish referee who will be in France, Hugh Dallas, is going to tell us.

''I hope people realise we were playing them in conditions which suited them more than they did us, yet for long spells we ran the show.

''It was important to get two goals from the midfield area because that is where we will be looking for goals when we get to France.

''They are a quality side but I think England will be too strong for them when it comes to the finals.''

Craig Burley, who scored the second of Scotland's goals and his first for the national side, said: ''It was a bonus for us to get a couple of goals because scoring has been a bit of a problem for us recently.

''I suppose people were wondering whether I could keep up my club scoring form, so it was good for me personally. However, the important thing with us is the team and we played well as a unit for the first hour of the game.''

Now, it is on to Washington at the end of the week and the game against the rapidly improving United States' team, who will also be in France next month.