DANGER MAN!

Eriksen too hot for Irish, says Denmark boss

DENMARK boss Age Hareide says inform Christian Eriksen can be the difference for Denmark against the Republic of Ireland in next month’s World Cup play-offs.

Eriksen (below), 25, has scored 12 goals in the last 14 internationals, the most recent five of which were all in qualifiers — a staggering return for a midfielder — and Danish coach Hareide appreciates his immense value. ‘Christian is our danger man and can be the difference between sides when the games are equal,’ said Hareide, who doesn’t conceal his admiration for the Spurs playmaker. ‘Do you know, he runs the most of all the players when he plays for Denmark? That’s what pleases me most,’ said Hareide yesterday. ‘He works harder than

anyone even though he also plays in the Premier League and Champions League for Tottenham because that’s what the national team means to him. He puts the team first.’ A Tottenham fan since boyhood, Hareide has a reason to look out for Spurs’ results; Eriksen’s presence gives him an extra incentive. ‘I saw him playing against Liverpool and Real Madrid in this past week and he is used to playing big games.’ Hareide names his squad to face Ireland next Tuesday and has 10 players on a yellow card, including Eriksen. He is adamant that FIFA must review their position on cards carrying from the qualification into the play-offs. ‘If you want to give the fans the best players and the best sides in the play-off, then you should actually cancel all the yellow cards for the two games.’