FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
The Scotland squad got straight down to business here on Saturday after arriving at their base in the village of St Remy de Provence.
Manager Craig Brown and his assistant Alex Miller led the players in two training sessions at the home of the local team. By the beginning of next week Brown should have a clearer picture of how his players are progressing.
Brown said: “The hospitality has been excellent and the training facilities are first class. We had a look at where we might stay soon after the World Cup draw was made and I have to say I am very happy with the arrangement.”
Scotland and Brazil kick-off the World Cup when they meet at the new Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday. Brown said he was taking rumours that there was disruption within the Brazilian camp with a pinch of salt. “I don’t believe what I hear and read about them. There are so many good players in Brazil. Rumours are rife that Brazil’s preparations are in disarray but Brown discounts those stories. I am convinced Brazil will be the outstanding team in the tournament again. Their current pool is as good as the 1994 team in my view and I am disregarding their results in recent friendlies. They were either trying out new players or had others injured so I don’t think you can judge them on that basis.” But he insisted that his players will not be fazed by playing the defending world champions.
The new ground on the outskirts of Paris will be packed to its 80,000 capacity on Wednesday with one billion viewers worldwide expected to watch the game. The majority don’t give Scotland a prayer but Brown believes his squad are used to big crowds and big games and are ready to step up a level.
“Every week in Glasgow one or other of the big clubs (Celtic or Rangers) play to 50,000 gates, “ said the Scotland manager. The only club that comes near to that figure in England is Manchester United. We have eight players in our squad from Celtic, who won the championship. We have a lot of players who are used to pressure games. There are a lot of winners in our party. They are not unnerved at the prospect of playing Brazil and aim to seize the chance with both hands. All the players want to show they can play at the top level and what better stage is there than facing Brazil. We have an indication of what we need to do and obviously we want to make the country proud of us. “Asked if he had nightmares about facing Ronaldo, skipper Colin Hendry quipped: I don’t dream about footballers. I am a married man with three children. I have played against some of the world’s top strikers, like Faustino Asprilla of Colombia only recently. What you have to do is to concentrate on playing to your own strengths. That is the key.”