Boys sang to me on my birthday... now for another tune out of them
Koeman isn’t in party mode for Scotland side who ‘love to fight’
NETHERLANDS manager Ronald Koeman celebrated his 61st birthday – but says the present he really wants is the Euro 2024 trophy.
The Dutch gaffer is gearing up for tonight’s friendly against Scotland in Amsterdam and insists the encounter with Steve Clarke’s side will be vital ahead of his team going to Germany this summer.
And with the Dutch one of the tournament favourites, he admits he’d love to win it.
Koeman said: “The players sang Happy Birthday to me and gave me a nice cap.
“They obviously think I’m at an age when I need to keep my head warm! But if I could have a perfect late present it would be the Euros on July 14.
“Scotland were in a qualifying group with Spain. They beat them and fought for first place right to the end. I know all about them and I know their mentality. They love to fight on the pitch.
“I don’t like to talk about individual players but I was impressed with Scotland in the qualifiers.
“When they fight, they get the support of their fans, which is a powerful combination.
“They’re an interesting team who can play different systems – they might start with five at the back, they might go 4-3-3.
“But whatever they do, they adapt and they do it well.
“They are a unit but within that they’ve some excellent individual players who perform at a high level in the Premier League.”
Dutch defender Nathan Ake was also full of praise for the Scots having played against Clarke’s players in England’s top flight this season. The Manchester City star talked up his title rival – Liverpool’s Andy Robertson – but says it’s not a battle with him to be the Premier League’s best left-back.
Ake said: “Scotland are a very strong team now with good Premier League players.
“John McGinn and Scott McTominay in particular are on top form, they’ve really impressed me. Obviously I watch Andy Robertson because he plays left-back and I often do too – but we’re different players.
“Virgil van Dijk always tells me what a good guy he is and how much he’s done for Liverpool down the years.
“He’s a top player and a great captain for Scotland. But it’s not about who is the best leftback in the Premier League – I don’t see it that way.
“As a team Scotland are improving every year and it’s good to see. They’re going to give us a really tough game on Friday night.”
Ake enjoyed a dream season last year as Pep Guardiola’s side won five trophies including the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
City are on course for another memorable campaign – and the Dutchman wants to triumph at the Euros this summer too.
He said: “With five prizes, could last year have been any better? No, for my club it’s been fantastic. But things go quick in football and we’re already in the new year.
“I’m focused on finishing the season well with Manchester City but also with the Dutch team.
“Would I swap those five trophies for one Euros? That’s too hard a question to answer, it’s impossible. “In the past we’ve said we have a really good group with the Dutch national team.
“But we now have big players at big clubs, competing for the biggest prizes.
“So it’s time to show that confidence. I’m not saying we’ll win the Euros but we have to fight for something together now. We should expect that of each other.
“We’re a good group but it’s now time to start showing it on the pitch.”
The Scots beat Spain and fought for first place right to the end
RONALD KOEMAN HAS ADMIRED CLARKE’S SIDE