FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
In some people’s eyes, Scotland are cast as lambs to a Samba slaughter as they prepare to face Brazil in the World Cup curtain-raiser at the Stade de France on Wednesday. But the Scots, a defiant race at the best of times, will enter the arena breathing fire, knowing that anything less than total faith in their cause would incur the wrath of uncompromising skipper Colin Hendry.
Blackburn defender Hendry epitomises the never-say-die spirit of the Scots, who are burning to reach the second phase for the first time at the eighth time of asking.
The 32-year-old Hendry has to live up to his nickname of Braveheart on Wednesday because to him falls the task of stopping Brazilian superman Ronaldo.
Ronaldo will be hoping to wriggle away from Hendry’s challenges. But should the Brazilian fail to show his big blond marker a clean pair of heels, the FIFA world player of the year will be in for a rough evening as his opponent fears no one in the air or in the tackle. Hendry’s motivation knows no bounds, since he long feared he would never play on such a stage.
As a youngster with Dundee, the World Cup was just a distant dream and Hendry had to wait until he had turned 27 — and moved to England-to win his first cap.
“A few of us in the squad came late to international football, and when you have worked so hard to get success you don’t want to let it go,” he says.
Having left Dundee for Blackburn, it was only a second spell at Ewood Park which saw Hendry emerge into the limelight following two seasons at Manchester City until 1991.
Blackburn were becoming a force in the English game at the time thanks largely to owner Jack Walker’s millions but also to the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as coach.
Craig Brown swiftly pinpointed Hendry as the man he needed at the cornerstone of the Scotland defence and he finally made his debut for his country in 1993.
Hendry excelled as Blackburn marched to the Premiership title in 1995 and was one of the main reasons why the Scots reached France as the miserly defence Hendry marshalled conceded just three goals in 10 qualifiers.
“Our choice of players is limited and so far we have done very well defensively,” says Hendry. “But a World Cup is the ultimate test where you are up against the best teams in the world.”
Norway and Morocco stand in Scotland’s way as all three countries target the runners-up spot in Group A.
Hendry received generous but heartfelt praise from coach Brown on being handed the captaincy in place of the injured Gary McAllister. “Hendry has the qualities of a leader,” Brown said. “He is intelligent, articulate and inspires others.” Yet at the same time he is disarmingly modest, in keeping with his Highland upbringing, which demands that people retain a reserved if determined air.
“We don’t shout from the rooftops or look for attention,” Hendry observes. But if he keeps Ronaldo quiet on Wednesday evening, the whole of Scotland will acclaim him and the watching world will pronounce him a giant.