VOGTS CROSSES FINGERS FOR SCOTLAND
Berti Vogts has taunted England by insisting his old Scotland team are better than Steve McClaren's side - but is backing both to make it to Euro2008.
Scotland will qualify if they beat world champions Italy at Hamden Park tomorrow and Vogts believes they can cause an upset.
Vogts, who is now in charge of Nigeria, said: "I am keeping my fingers crossed for Scotland and hope that they qualify and they make progress.
"I was with Scotland for two-and-a-half years, so it makes me very proud to see them doing so well.
"They have a good team – they are better than England at the moment, but I think England will still qualify."
Vogts took control of Scotland in 2002 but a series of poor results followed including a 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands, and while many chose to point the finger at him, he claims there were few established players for him to select from.
"When I took over Scotland James McFadden, Darren Fletcher, Andy Webster and Craig Gordon were all about 18 or 19-years-old," Vogts added.
"They were too young for international football, and I knew that. The Scottish FA knew that too.
"Now they have come through and the team are organised and have a very good team spirit – that’s very important.
"All the compliments must go to Alex McLeish and the young boys. They can beat Italy, and I’m sure they will qualify. Alex has done a great job in bringing the boys another step forward."
Berti Vogts has taunted England by insisting his old Scotland team are better than Steve McClaren's side - but is backing both to make it to Euro2008.
Scotland will qualify if they beat world champions Italy at Hamden Park tomorrow and Vogts believes they can cause an upset.
Vogts, who is now in charge of Nigeria, said: "I am keeping my fingers crossed for Scotland and hope that they qualify and they make progress.
"I was with Scotland for two-and-a-half years, so it makes me very proud to see them doing so well.
"They have a good team – they are better than England at the moment, but I think England will still qualify."
Vogts took control of Scotland in 2002 but a series of poor results followed including a 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands, and while many chose to point the finger at him, he claims there were few established players for him to select from.
"When I took over Scotland James McFadden, Darren Fletcher, Andy Webster and Craig Gordon were all about 18 or 19-years-old," Vogts added.
"They were too young for international football, and I knew that. The Scottish FA knew that too.
"Now they have come through and the team are organised and have a very good team spirit – that’s very important.
"All the compliments must go to Alex McLeish and the young boys. They can beat Italy, and I’m sure they will qualify. Alex has done a great job in bringing the boys another step forward."
Labels: Berti Vogts, football, Italy, Nigeria, Scotland
