BERIC INSISTS SLOVENIA WILL SHOW PRIDE OF LIONS IN FINALE

ROBERT BERIC has warned that Slovenia will fiercely contest their final World Cup qualifying fixture a week tonight in Ljubljana, even if the hosts may ultimately only have pride, rather than the runners-up berth, to play for.

Third-placed Slovenia face the tough task of trying to remain at the forefront of the Group F play-off picture while at Wembley on Thursday tackling leaders England.

Defeat in London wouldn’t immediately end their Russia 2018 hopes, should Scotland defeat Slovakia at Hampden to shift Gordon Strachan’s men into pole position.

However, the fact Slovakia enjoy a soft home tie against minnows Malta three days later means that beating Scotland on Sunday is highly unlikely to be enough to then enable the Slovenians to finish above Jan Kozak’s team.

Beric, the St Etienne striker on loan with Celtic’s Champions League opponents Anderlecht, stressed that Slovenia will be determined to finish the campaign on a high — no matter what scenario is presented to his nation following Thursday’s action. ‘If Scotland are needing to win in Slovenia then you can expect a difficult game, for sure,’ said Beric.

‘Because we also want to win. Even if we lose against England, I think in our last game at home we will not give up just like that. It will be tough for Scotland also.’