Final whistle ‘best moment in football’ for Scotland ace

SCOTLAND midfielder Barry Bannan says he has never had a better moment in football than hearing the final whistle sound at Hampden on Thursday night.

Now the 27-year-old hopes his side can top the joy experienced at the end of their thrilling last-gasp win over Slovakia by booking a World Cup play-off slot. Victory over Slovenia will guarantee Gordon Strachan’s men second place in Group F.

“Thursday was win-or-bust and Sunday will be the same,” said Sheffield Wednesday ace Bannan. “But these are the games that make you want to play football.

“You saw the scenes at the end. That was probably the happiest moment I’ve had in football - now let’s hope we can top it that on Sunday night by beating Slovenia over there.”

Meanwhile, Norway boss Lars Lagerback does not believe his unbeaten record against England will help his side when they attempt to beat another home nation in Northern Ireland.

The 69-year-old, who has previously been in charge of his native Sweden, was at Iceland’s helm when they shocked Roy Hodgson’s England at Euro 2016 to improve his personal streak against the Three Lions to seven games without defeat.

However, he sees Northern Ireland as an entirely different proposition.

“Generally, why I have been lucky to have good results against British teams, and especially England, is because the players know the players very well, and I think that is a little bit of an advantage, not least mentally,” he said.