Toshack impatient ahead of Wales’ ‘last chance saloon’ ties

JOHN TOSHACK must wait five months before he discovers whether Wales are “wasting their time” with dreams of qualifying for the World Cup finals.

Wales’ record inspires little confidence, with 12 victories in their last 49 World Cup qualifiers since they beat Spain 3-0 in 1985.

Toshack has achieved four of those wins. But after last night’s 1-0 defeat in Germany, he knows that if they do not take the points from Finland and Germany at home in a five-day spell in March — in their next two qualifiers — then another campaign is over.

“We knew when the draw was made that we would have three chances to get something that was not expected,” he said.

“We have won two home games. But Germany and Russia away, plus Finland, are where we had to get something.

“Now we have two home games in March that will be the last-chance saloon. It is a minimum four points from the next two that we need — anything less and we are out of it. We will be wasting our time. We will really need the six points.”

Meanwhile Kris Boyd has defended the timing of his decision to quit Scotland, insisting: “I couldn’t go on any longer.”

The Rangers striker left a message on George Burley’s phone within hours of Saturday’s goalless World Cup qualifier against Norway, informing the national team boss he no longer wished to be considered for selection during his tenure.

The 25-year-old claims he was on the verge of quitting on two previous occasions — following the friendly against Northern Ireland and the double-header against Macedonia and Iceland — because of his perceived lack of involvement.

And Boyd insists his spell as an unused substitute last weekend proved to be the final straw following months of soul-searching.

“I was going to do it after the Northern Ireland game and spoke to a few people and didn’t do it,” he said.

“The same after the Macedonia and Iceland games. I spoke to a few people again after the game on Saturday night and felt, for me, that it couldn’t go on any longer.

“I saw myself as fifth or sixth choice striker. I think, with my track record, I should at least have been given the chance to get my country out of the hole it was in on the park.

“I wasn’t given that chance and I just felt that enough was enough.”