Austin Macphee might be Scotland’s secret weapon – but we have our own
Former Celtic defender ERIK SVIATCHENKO pinpoints where the crucial World Cup qualifier in Copenhagen could be won and lost
Erik Sviatchenko knows quite a bit about the Denmark and Scotland national teams.
He reckons Wednesday night’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Copenhagen could be decided by a set-piece.
The 29-year-old former Celtic star – capped five times by the Danes – has pinpointed how important dead-ball deliveries and aerial power will be in deciding Group F in the battle to reach next year’s Finals in Qatar.
It will also be an emotion-charged night, with the hosts returning to the 38,000 capacity Parken Stadium, the scene of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest on the pitch during their game against Finland in their Euros opener on June 12.
Unbelievably, the Danish players soldiered on to recover from two opening defeats to qualify for the knock-out stages, and go all the way to the semi-final stage, where they lost 2-1 to England at Wembley.
Sviatchenko said: “Playing against Scotland is the first game for us after the adventure of the Euros.
“Considering everything that happened during the tournament, it was an amazing performance from the national team.
“The emotion and circumstances of the first game against Finland, to lose to Belgium and then to win the final game against Russia to qualify for the knock-out stages was very special.
“It has brought the whole country closer together, and there is now a collective spirit that is second to none.
“What happened to Christian Eriksen is something I will never forget.
“I have since talked to some of the players about the whole situation, and it was not a pleasant experience.
“But they played on and they made the country proud. The feeling for the national team has never been stronger.
“Our captain, Simon Kjaer, and the medical staff will receive the UEFA President’s Medal Admiration Award for the way they reacted to the situation.
“They showed leadership and calmness at a critical moment.”
Those are just two of the qualities Steve Clarke, and his Danish opposite number, Kasper Hjulmand, will hope their players can display on Wednesday night.
Clarke has just recruited former Hearts and Northern Ireland assistant manager, Austin Macphee, to his backroom staff.
He is now at Aston Villa – taken in by Dean Smith last month as their setpiece coach – and he was responsible for the meticulous preparation for Danny Ings’ stunning strike against Newcastle United last weekend.
Sviatchenko knows Macphee well, as they were together at FC Midtjylland last season, and worked closely.
Scotland will need to try to gain any little advantage they can as they face a Danish side that has made a perfect start to the qualifying campaign with nine points from nine, including 14
goals scored and none conceded.
The Scots are four points behind, after drawing at home to Austria and in Israel, before bagging three valuable points from a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands at Hampden.
“To have three wins from three – against Israel, Moldova and Austria – puts us in the driving seat,” Sviatchenko continued.
“The next hurdle is Scotland, and we know how important it is for them to pick up points, as they are four points behind us after three games.
“The Parken Stadium in Copenhagen will be packed on Wednesday night. The atmosphere will be as good as anything the players have experienced.
“There is a level of expectation on the Denmark team to win this game, and go all the way to Qatar. And I think that is a realistic ambition.
“We are playing some very good football and the coach has us playing more direct football.
“By that, I don’t mean that we play long balls. We are quicker in possession and look to play more forward passes.
“We are also very good at set-pieces. But I know Scotland will be very strong in that area.
“Austin Macphee (right) has joined Aston Villa as their set-piece coach, and he has just been given the same role with Scotland. It’s a great move by Steve Clarke.
“I had the pleasure of working with Austin at Midtjylland last season, and he is excellent at what he does. He is very analytical and gives players lots of valuable information.
“He was very influential in the success Northern Ireland had around Euro 2016, and he can have the same positive impact with Scotland.
“I texted him the other day to congratulate him on his Scotland appointment. So we had a few texts back and forward about the international fixture next week.
“You know, the game could well be decided by set-pieces. We are very strong at them – but I expect Scotland to be, too.
“For example, I know the quality Callum Mcgregor possesses when he is delivering a set-piece into the penalty box. We will need to be ready to defend.
“We are very strong at the back. We have Kasper Schmeichel in goals, and he is one of the best in the world. We are also strong in offensive areas.”
A look at the Danish squad confirms as much, and it is littered with quality.
Martin Braithwaite plays for Barcelona. Thomas Delaney has just joined Seville from Borussia Dortmund. Pierre-emile Hojberg is at Spurs, while Mikel Damsgaard is at Sampdoria, and is being linked with Liverpool.
Mo Damary, a 19-year-old winger/ central striker has just joined Ajax from FC Copenhagen for £16-million, and is set to make his international debut against Scotland on Wednesday night.
Sviatchenko confirmed: “Every Dane will want to be there on Wednesday evening. It’s going to be memorable for so many reasons, and we are all confident we can get a victory.
“We have the quality to do so. Most of our players are playing in the top five European Leagues, and we have some exciting talent.
“But I am also aware of what Scotland have. This is their first game since the Euros, and they will have learned so much from that experience.
“They were disappointed not to progress to the knock-out stages, but they got a brilliant result against England at Wembley.
“There is no doubt Scotland will be dangerous opponents, and that’s why it’s going to be a brilliant game. I will be watching it,
for sure.”