Lyndon and I like a battle but we better be careful with VAR.. especially with refs in Europe
Gogic content to be a national villain if Cyprus get Hampden win
CYPRUS are looking for some big Euro 2024 scalps and Alex Gogic would love to be the villain of the piece by starting with Scotland.
The Cypriots have been handed a horror challenging qualifying section in Group A, along with Spain, Norway, Georgia and Steve Clarke’s side.
Temuri Ketsbaia’s men are ranked 110th but aren’t going in to simply make up the numbers. St Mirren’s Gogic believes Cyprus are on the rise and capable of taking points off the big guns in this group.
They can now boast internationals playing in Italy, Belgium and in the MLS and the midfielder is hoping his inside knowledge of the Scottish game can help them spring their first surprise at Hampden on Saturday.
Gogic said: “Scotland have some great players in some great leagues. We are the underdogs but sometimes it’s good to be an underdog.
“If the boss needs to ask me anything about players in
Scotland of course I’ll help him as much as I can. I don’t mind being the villain up here if we win. I’ll do anything for us to win that game. “It’s the first game and we want to put some points on the board because our next game is a friendly before we go into the summer. “The group is a difficult one. We want to get as many points and to cause as many upsets as we can. There’s no big pressure on us.”
The ex-Hibs and Hamilton man is likely to be employed in a three-man defence for Cyprus.
He knows it could see him face up to old foes like Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie, with Southampton striker Che Adams another he has seen more than enough of on TV.
Gogic added: “I play in the middle of the back three. If we play a four then I go into the midfield but it is likely to be in the back three.
“So I am likely to be up against Lyndon Dykes, Ryan Christie or Che Adams. I have played against Christie and Dykes a number of times before when they were in Scotland.
“I like that physical type of striker that Dykes is. I played against him when he was at Livingston. We both like to battle but you have to be careful with VAR these days, especially with the refs in Europe!” Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson will come into Clarke’s thoughts after impressing with Bologna in Serie A. He
is a player Gogic is well aware of as they were at Accies together. The Buddies star said: “You could see when he was at Hamilton that he had all the talent. He just needed to maybe move away and he went to Aberdeen and did well there.
“It’s not easy to get a move out of Scotland, especially when you’re a young boy, but it’s been amazing to see him doing so well over in Italy.
“Him and Josh Doig are both proving a point out there and now teams are looking at Scotland to find good young players.
“For him to try to go abroad and test himself out there was great and he can always come back. Loads of doors will open for him now and I’m happy for him. He deserves it.
“He always had that attacking talent and he’s doing great now in more of a 10 role in midfield. I’m proud of him.”
Cyprus boss Ketsbaia is also no stranger to Scottish football from his colourful time at Dundee. He was famed for his advertising board-kicking celebrations and he would love
to put the boot into Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes.
Gogic said: “He’s got such a strong winning mentality and always wants to get the best out of us. He has that winning mentality. He has been in Cyprus for a long time and knows what we can do.
“It will be good for him because he was also in Scotland with Dundee. He took the job because he wants to do well.
“He is still passionate and wants to win and for Cyprus to do well. He has managed Georgia so he has a bit of a past in this group.
“That’s just how he was as a player, making all those tackles. He just wants to win every game. He drills that into us. He’s still very passionate. He knows we can do well.”
The 28-year-old might well be in the doghouse if the underdogs bite at Hampden, although he will have one or two people on his side.
Gogic laughed and said: “My fiancee and my kids will be there and some friends.
“I think they will all be on the Cyprus end!”