Craig Levein chose to ignore Scotland’s poor display against Liechtenstein and insisted their late, late win over the minnows was all that mattered as they breathed life into their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign (16/1 to win Group I).

Scotland appeared to be heading for a humiliating 1-1 home draw against a side routinely beaten at this level, before Stephen McManus’ 97th-minute winner changed the mood completely in Glasgow.

Veteran Mario Frick, on his 36th birthday, had given the visitors a remarkable lead a minute after the interval, before Kenny Miller equalised just past the hour mark.

The expected goal onslaught did not materialise, however, and the Tartan Army had to wait until the very last seconds of the match to celebrate an unlikely win.

Despite the nature of the victory and the overall poor display from his side, Levein was keen to play up the positives – as Scotland, who are now 11/2 to qualify for Euro 2012, find themselves top of Group I following two games.

He said: “I’m a very happy man. The facts and the stats will show that we are top of the group.

“We can play much better. I can understand the criticism that will be levelled at us but I would like to give credit to Liechtenstein – they made it difficult for us.

“People want to talk about what we did do or didn’t do but that is irrelevant – it’s the result that matters and our result on Friday night in Lithuania looks better.

“The good thing for me is that the players didn’t give up. They kept going and showed grit and determination.”

The winning goal at Hampden Park came seven minutes into stoppage time despite the fourth official signalling for just five minutes to be added on but Levein, predictably, was pleased the extra seconds were tagged on.

He added: “I think the referee had every right to add the extra time. Even in injury time, there were substitutions and time-wasting.”

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