WHAT THEY SAID

ENGLAND

BOSS Roy Hodgson is expecting a ‘fanatical’ atmosphere when his side takes on Scotland. ‘The Scotland fixture stands out as it’s the oldest rivalry among football nations and if the friendlies are anything to judge by, they will be very exciting games and very tense,’ said Hodgson (right). ‘If anyone wants to see what a really fanatic football atmosphere is like, I would invite them to Wembley when we play Scotland or to the match up there.’

SLOVAKIA

SLOVAKIA have admitted they wanted to avoid Scotland in the World Cup draw. Gordon Strachan’s men will face the Slovaks for the first time ever and their assistant manager Stefan Tarkovic (right) said: ‘Before the draw, we all said that Scotland were a team from Pot Three that we didn’t want to draw. ‘They should have been in a higher pot. Scotland are an improving nation. They have a good, young side and are a typically physical British-type team.’

SLOVENIA

SLOVENIA have told Scotland fans they will have no problem getting a ticket for what the Tartan Army hope will be a party. The Scots face the Slovenians away in their final game in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Slovenian FA general secretary Ales Zavrl (right) said: ‘Our ground in Ljubljana holds 16,000 and the stadium in Maribor has a 13,000 capacity, so there will be no problem for Scotland fans to get tickets.’

LITHUANIA

FORMER national boss Algimantas Liubinskas (right) does not hold out any hopes for his country. ‘It’s very difficult to see who we will compete with,’ says the man who was in charge when Lithuania recorded their only win over Scotland in 2003. ‘Scotland are a team we should be looking to beat, but I don’t think that will happen again. The national team is in disarray.’

MALTA

MANAGER Pietro Ghedin (right) believes facing Scotland and England will be a huge boost for football in Malta. He said: ‘England are one of the strongest footballing nations in the world. I believe this is a nice thing for Maltese football. ‘And playing Scotland, too, who are an improving nation, will be very tough, but enjoyable for us.’