World Cup a ‘major goal’ for Alaba

BAYERN MUNICH and Austria defender David Alaba admits reaching a World Cup is a major goal as he sets out on a new qualifying campaign at Hampden.

Alaba has won 26 trophies with Bayern Munich – including two Champions Leagues and two World Club Cups – and will feature at the European Championship finals for a second time this summer.

The 28-year-old has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris St Germain and Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window and is set to go on lifting trophies.

But his main focus is on facing Scotland in the opening match of his latest attempt to reach the World Cup finals for a first time – both teams last got there in 1998.

“Of course it’s no secret it’s an extremely high priority, not only for me but the whole team,” he said. “We have the quality and capability to reach that goal.

“It’s extremely important, also because it’s a huge honour to play for my country. We are going to do our best to reach the World Cup.

“But whether it’s the most important goal is hard to say because I’m very ambitious in general and all trophies matter.”

Alaba and 18 of his Germanbased team-mates were cleared to join the squad when quarantine rules were changed late last week and he is targeting a flying start to the campaign.

“We know that Scotland have a really good team with really good individuals who play at the highest level in Europe, especially the Premier League,” he said. “But we are here to win the game, that’s our main goal. But, yes, it will be close.”