'Win, lose or draw we will be heroes...Italy will face disaster'

ON day one of the official countdown to Scotland's decisive Euro 2008 qualifier with Italy tomorrow week, Alex McLeish made an impressive start to the psychological sparring that invariably precedes such occasions.

Having named a 25-man squad containing no surprises, McLeish insisted, whatever pressures may be exerted on the players taking part in the great showdown, the Scots' burden will be appreciably lighter than the one to be borne by the Italians.

In this respect, the national team manager made his case by highlighting the pronounced distinction between the expectations that prevail in the respective countries.

"The advantage we have in that regard is that our lads are already viewed as heroes for what they have achieved in the qualifying group," said McLeish. "Win, lose or draw in what will be our last match in Group B, our supporters know that the squad has achieved a position that couldn't have been dreamt of when the draw put us into a section with Italy, France and Ukraine.

"By beating France twice and then Ukraine in our last outing at Hampden Park, our players have been fantastic. They've already amassed 24 points from a series in which we set out thinking 18 would not only be a very respectable total, but as much as we could reasonably expect. It's different for the Italians. Their expectations don't just involve qualifying for the European Championship finals. That's something they would take for granted. As world champions, they will be expected to win the tournament, never mind just progress from the group.

"Yes, the build-up to the match may be pretty hysterical, but if the Italians were to lose it, the word "hysterical" will be too weak to describe the reaction that will take place in their country. For them, losing would be a disaster.

"The Italians are a great team, but they are also human, no matter how much experience they may have of these big occasions. France beat them and drew with them in Italy, and Lithuania also got a draw in the opening match of the campaign. They'll come to Glasgow a bit apprehensive about playing us, I have no doubt about that."

McLeish's conviction is underpinned by the various utterances that have come from rival camps, most notably from Raymond Domenech, the France coach. His interest could hardly be more relevant, since a victory for the Italians would almost certainly guarantee his own team's qualification.

Domenech has made pronouncements on the course of the qualifying section that have ranged from tipping Scotland to go through after their victory in Paris in September to his more recent observation that the dark blue shirts will lose their nerve next week.

"What that tells me is that they're a little apprehensive," said McLeish, when asked his thoughts of Domenech's remarks. "They and Italy are the ones with plenty to lose, not us."

Domenech had also said that the Scots would falter in Georgia last month, a prediction that came true when McLeish's team, diminished by injury and suspension, were beaten 2-0. But it is the resilience they have shown after such set-backs throughout the two-year campaign that encourages McLeish's faith in their ability to overcome the last, admittedly formidable obstacle.

"Our mentality is always to look forward, never back," he said. "The players who have been involved in the campaign have benefited from the great challenges they have faced. They've met them head on, they've lost some, but they have always responded magnificently.

"They've overcome setbacks that have involved either losing a match or something that's happened during a match. The Georgia match is in the past, as was the defeat by Ukraine in Kiev last year when we met them again last month and beat them 3-1 here. We have seen how our players have reacted to conceding an equaliser to both Georgia and Lithuania here."

At this stage, McLeish's fitness problems concern three of his six nominated strikers. Kenny Miller, Garry O'Connor and Craig Beattie all have injuries, although Miller would be the only probable first pick of the trio. He has a hamstring problem, but McLeish said yesterday he was expected to be available.

The manager confessed to being given a real scare when he heard of the appalling tackle from Benfica's Augustin Binya on Scott Brown that had the perpetrator sent off and caused the removal of the limping Celtic midfielder near the finish. He was informed by text in Barcelona, where he attended Rangers' Champions League match on Wednesday.

"My son texted me and said it was a scandalous tackle," said McLeish. "I asked if he had been stretchered off, but the replay was no, he's still playing. But, by yesterday (Wednesday), there were all kinds of rumours flying around about the seriousness of the damage.

"I had even had preliminary discussions with my assistants, Roy Aitken and Andy Watson, about how we might compensate for Scott's absence. But we then found out that he's fine and will be with us. Scott has become a significant player for us, so it is very good news. Now we have to wait and hope that the England-based players come through unscathed at the week-end."

The 25 men who carry a nation's hopes: how the squad has fared since Georgia

TWENTY three days have elapsed since the monumental letdown of the 2-0 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi. Since then the Scotland players have been back at their clubs and playing against teams ranging from Barcelona to Barnsley. Here we assess how things have gone for the 25 men who will gather to plot the downfall of Italy and secure Scotland a first place at a major finals in a decade.

CRAIG GORDON (Sunderland)

Scored an unfortunate own goal against West Ham but has won the Sunderland fans over with a string of impressive performances. Will get no rest this weekend in the Tyne & Wear derby against Newcastle.

DAVID MARSHALL (Norwich)

Another Scotland keeper, another own goal, this time against Watford. Always likely to be Alex McLeish's third choice.

ALLAN MCGREGOR (Rangers)

Walter Smith described his performance against Barcelona as "exceptional" despite shipping two goals. Will be rested this weekend along with his Old Firm colleagues but barring injury to Craig Gordon he will be in a supporting role.

GRAHAM ALEXANDER

Worked hard to set up chances against Hull but couldn't prevent his side going down 1-0 and manager Steve Cotterill losing his job.

GARY CALDWELL (Celtic)

Has been playing at right back in what has been a mixed few weeks for Celtic, losing 3-0 to Rangers and in Benfica, but keeping at top of the league.

CHRISTIAN DAILLY (West Ham)

Loan period at Southampton extended after impressive showings in injury-hit side.

ALAN HUTTON (Rangers):

Helped restrict Thierry Henry and Co at Ibrox. Augurs well for the task of shackling the likes of Luca Toni at Hampden.

JAY McEVELEY (Derby)

Recovered from a neck problem and played in the 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa. Confidence could be low as part of a porous defence.

STEPHEN McMANUS (Celtic)

Was carried off with a bad looking head knock in Old Firm match but returned to face Benfica four days later. Has been a solid performer.

GARY NAYSMITH (Sheff Utd)

Worked well with James Beattie to beat Ipswich 3-1 and give manager Bryan Robson his first home win in the Coca-Cola Championship.

DAVID WEIR (Rangers)

Henry got the upper hand - literally - against him in Barcelona as he endured a torrid time which may be a useful experience when it comes to trying to subdue the glittering Italian forward line.

SCOTT BROWN (Celtic)

Fortunate to still to be walking on two legs after Benfica's Augustin Binya's horror tackle. He had earlier served notice of his value to Scotland with a high energy display against the Portuguese.

BARRY FERGUSON (Rangers)

A goal in the Old Firm match and a top-class display against Barcelona at Ibrox should have the skipper in good spirits. More of the same against Italy a necessity.

DARREN FLETCHER (Man Utd)

Thankfully has a few games under his belt, something sorely lacking in Georgia. Was not involved against Arsenal on Saturday but returned to play full 90 in 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev.

PAUL HARTLEY (Celtic)

Has been one of Celtic's best performers of late, with a good showing against Benfica at Parkhead on Wednesday.

LEE McCULLOCH (Rangers)

Has been an ever present for Rangers but hasn't found the net since his wonder strike against Ukraine at Hampden.

STEPHEN PEARSON (Derby)

Has played in three winless games for Derby as their difficult Premier League campaign continues.

BARRY ROBSON (Dundee Utd)

His club-mates may not get a rest this weekend but he will after his sending-off in the 2-0 SPL defeat by Aberdeen ruled him out of tomorrow's home fixture against Kilmarnock. Has been a driving force in Dundee United's good current form and scored from the penalty spot in their win over Rangers

GARY TEALE (Derby)

Another suffering at Derby, although not as much as he would like as he is not a first-choice. Came on as a substitute in the defeat by Aston Villa and his rash tackle led to Martin Laursen opening the scoring.

CRAIG BEATTIE (West Brom)

Has proved himself in Scotland colours but his participation is in doubt as he is currently sidelined with a calf injury and a question mark hangs over whether he will even feature in the club's game against Coventry on Monday.

KRIS BOYD (Rangers)

On the bench more than he would like but the penalty-box predator has done what's asked of him anytime he is called upon. Didn't feature in Barcelona but scored two goals in his previous two starts to take his tally for the season into double figures.

JAMES McFADDEN (Everton)

A hero for Scotland but still struggling for a regular starting spot in Everton, where he has been mainly deployed as a sub or in the Carling and UEFA Cups. Started on bench against Nuremberg last night.

SHAUN MALONEY (Aston Villa)

A perennial bench warmer at Villa, the former Celtic forward got a 22 minute run-out in the 2-0 win over Derby and showed his goal threat when he drilled a low shot wide of the target with ten minutes left.

KENNY MILLER (Derby)

Did not feature against Aston Villa but the hopes of the Rams - and Scotland - have been boosted by the news that he took part in training as he looks to make a comeback from a groin injury.

GARRY O'CONNOR (Birmingham)

Hoping shake off a groin injury and feature in the Birmingham derby on Sunday against Villa. Has come off the bench in his last two games and is beginning to win over Blues fans and manager Steve Bruce .