Defender to be inside man for Denmark
ERIK SVIATCHENKO will provide Denmark with the lowdown on how Scotland will play at Hampden tomorrow – due to the fact that no fewer than six of his Celtic team-mates are set to be involved.
Gordon Strachan named Scott Brown, James Forrest, Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths, Charlie Mulgrew and Kieran Tierney in his 18-man squad for the friendly earlier this month and several of them will feature.
Sviatchenko, who was last week named Danish Superliga Player of the Year as a result of his performances for former club Midtjylland, is hoping to win his fifth cap against his club mates in Glasgow.
He could find himself in direct opposition to Leigh Griffiths, who is the Parkhead club’s top scorer this season with 35 goals to his name, at the National Stadium if their respective managers select them.
The 24-year-old reckons he can help out new national coach Age Hareide – who masterminded Malmo’s victory over Celtic in the Champions League play-off earlier this season – win his second game in charge with his inside information.
“It’s going to be great,” he said. “Age Hareide had picked six centre-halves for the squad, so there will be a lot of competition for those places to play.
“But I’m still young, I’m 24 and I’m with the national team for getting inspiration as well, but also to show myself as I’ve taken a big step to a big club and I want to develop.
“But at this moment I accept there is a lot of good defenders with Denmark. It’ll be interesting. I’ll have to get my analysis ready for my team-mates with Denmark.”
Sviatchenko signed for the Scottish champions from Midtjylland in a £1.5m deal during the January transfer window and is hoping that by playing in the SPFL Premiership and in European competition in the future he will assist his international career.
“I did my research and I knew it was the right step for me,” he said. “I’m benefitting from it and I’ve been selected for the first squad for the new national coach and I’m thrilled.”