Cypriots urged to copy Tartan Army

CYPRUS coach Ran Ben Shimon has urged his country’s fans to follow the Tartan Army’s lead by turning out in numbers for this afternoon’s Euro 2020 qualifying dead rubber. The two nations are seeking to finish third in Group I behind Belgium and Russia, with Ben Shimon admiring the size of the travelling support destined for the GSP Stadium. ‘Tomorrow at the stadium there will be around 3,000 Scotland fans, despite their team being fourth place in the group, and I think this is a good example for Cypriot fans,’ he said. ‘It’s an example Cyprus should follow, to support our national team despite the results and the standings. ‘This is still a big game in the group. We are coming again to a very important junction for our national team, with our own target to make a step forward again to a place that nobody before in Cyprus has stepped on. ‘I see my players during the week, they are prepared for this challenge. They are positive. We are playing in a good stadium and we ask the people who grew up in this society to come and support us.’ Ben Shimon would view it as a significant achievement if Cyprus could secure third spot ahead of Steve Clarke’s men. ‘Being third would be another step forward, it would take the ceiling a little bit higher,’ said the 48-year-old Israeli, whose contract expires at the end of the qualifiers. ‘It’s such an important task for our national team, we can’t look at it from a personal perspective. It’s a team perspective. This would be the biggest achievement.’ Cyprus lost 2-1 in Glasgow in Clarke’s first game in charge five months ago. Scotland approach the rematch without a clutch of key players, including captain Andy Robertson, but Ben Shimon remains cautious. ‘Tomorrow we are playing against a very strong opponent,’ he said. ‘I never mention missing players on our side, although they are very important. ‘It’s not who is playing, it’s how they play. We have to concentrate on our game and ourselves and that is what we will do.’