Scots confident of Dutch upset

George Burley has bullishly insisted his patched up Scotland squad can upstage Holland’s big names when the two nations clash in a World Cup qualifier here on Saturday.

The Dutch go into the match as overwhelming favourites having thrashed their opponents 6-0 on their last visit to Amsterdam, for a Euro 2004 play-off at the end of 2003.

Scotland’s cause has not been helped by a string of injuries but Burley insisted that his players had travelled in confident mood.

“As far as the players are concerned there has been no negativity at all,” the Scotland manager said.

“They do believe they can win and they’re looking forward to it. It doesn’t get any bigger than coming to Amsterdam to play a team that is top six in the world.

Burley made it clear that the Scots would be looking to disrupt Holland’s short-passing game. “We know that we are against a quality side and we know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s a team game not an individual game.

“Individually they have world class players, maybe stronger than us, but we have to use our strengths to compete against them.

“We have to make it difficult, to compete and win our individual battles and take the game to them.”

Since that 6-0 thrashing, Scotland’s fortunes have improved considerably and, under Burley’s predecessor Alex McLeish, they pushed France and Italy close in qualifying for Euro 2008.

Although Burley will be without half of his first-choice defence — centreback Stephen McManus and right-back Alan Hutton — he is pleased that, for the first time since he took charge, he has Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown available in midfield.

“It’s an area where Holland are very strong so it’s going to be an interesting tussle but Barry, Fletcher and Brown are not going to be frightened by it,” he said.

The impact of losing McManus to an ankle injury was compounded by the fact that Rangers veteran David Weir had already been ruled out, with the result that Wolves defender Christophe Berra will partner Gary Caldwell at the heart of the Scotland defence.

It will be Berra’s first start for his country after three caps as substitute.

Burley voiced confidence in the former Hearts defender. “Christophe is a very young player but has as lot of league experience with Hearts and Wolves,” he said. “He has been in every squad in the last year, he has been patient but this is what it’s all about – the challenge to get better – and I’m sure he won’t let us down.”

It is also a landmark weekend for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who has been handed the gloves ahead of regular number one Craig Gordon, who has not been playing regularly for his club, Sunderland.

McGregor enhanced his reputation considerably as Rangers progressed to last season’s UEFA Cup final and Ferguson, his captain for club and country, highlighted his display against Werder Bremen in the last 16.

“In that game he was awesome,” Ferguson recalled. “We had 10 at the back that night. But he was phenomenal, and we got a result. I hope it’s the same kind of performance tomorrow.”

Ferguson believes the Scots can replicate their 2007 win over France in Paris, when James McFadden scored a spectacular winner.

“France had about 80 percent of the possession but we worked so hard for each other – and ‘Faddy’ scored from 35 yards, out of the blue. We hope it’s the same scenario tomorrow.

“The Dutch may have a lot of possession. But one thing is for sure – we will work ever so hard to close them down and hope we can nick a goal.”