Christian: I’ll knock Scots’ Pan in as boss
CHRISTIAN PANUCCI has warned he’s heading back to Hampden to haunt the Tartan Army a decade after killing their Euro hopes with a stoppage-time sickener.
The Italian will bring his Albania team to Glasgow for their Nations League group opener in September.
The countries may have never met but Panucci has a history with Hampden thanks to his controversial winner in November 2007.
Then Scotland boss Alex McLeish was raging with ref Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez for awarding Italy a free-kick despite Giorgio Chiellini appearing to impede Alan Hutton.
Panucci met Andrea Pirlo’s floated ball for a 2-1 win that ended Scotland’s Euro 2008 dream and sent Italy and France through.
The 44-year-old, whose side also face Israel in the group, said: “If I made the Scotland fans angry that night in 2007 then I hope to do the same again.
“But it’s not easy to play at Hampden. I remember I scored the winning goal on my last visit but as manager of Albania now it will be much tougher to get a victory in Glasgow.
“My goal came from Andrea’s free-kick but I don’t remember there being any controversy over the award! Certainly the atmosphere was fantastic and unbelievable. Scotland away is difficult for every team. It’s a hard group and all three teams have a chance to win the section.
“Scotland are a very good team and Israel play good football.”
Euro 2016 was Albania’s first appearance at a major finals while Scotland are out to end a 22-year absence by reaching Euro 2020.
Panucci, who took charge last summer, said: “I’m surprised Scotland haven’t been to a major tournament for so long but look at Italy who missed out on this summer’s World Cup – that’s football.
“Scotland traditionally always had a good team. When I was just starting out at Genoa I remember they played in Italy 90. Italy have a great history but now is not a good moment.
“These things happen. I’m only thinking of Albania. We want to win our group but it will be difficult.”
Albania may sit 28 places behind Scotland in the FIFA rankings down in 60th but Panucci insists his squad shouldn’t be taken lightly.
He said: “We have players who play in Italy, Germany and Switzerland. We have good characters and the squad is changing so we have a young team but with plenty of quality.”