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ITALIANS ARE PROMISED ROUGH HAMPDEN RIDE

McEveley: Warning

Monday November 12,2007

By Ewan smith

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JAY McEVELEY has warned Italy they won’t be given an easy ride to Euro 2008 on Saturday and insisted that Scotland will knock the arrogance out of the World champions at Hampden.

Italy will arrive in Glasgow later this week to gear up for the crucial Group B clash, with Scotland new boy McEveley claiming all the expectation will be on the visitors to deliver.

But while the Italians proved they can cope with pressure by lifting last summer’s World Cup, tough-talking McEveley believes Scotland’s braveheart style can hit Roberto Donadoni’s side for six and make it to the finals.

The Derby County defender insisted: “I think we can dream and believe we’re going to win.

“France came to Hampden and went home as losers and any side in the world would find it difficult to come to Glasgow and win.

“Italy are the same as France. They will come here and we’ll be right in their faces from the first minute, kicking at their heels every chance we get. We’re not going to give them a minute because we know how much it means to the players, how much it means to the people of Scotland to win this game.

“We’ve come so far now that we have to finish the job. It’s going to be a difficult game but one we’re looking forward to and one we’re confident about.

“You have to knock the arrogance out of the Italians early doors. You need to get in their faces right from kick off and show them that it’s not going to be an easy ride in Scotland.

“If they do come here and think they will walk all over Scotland then they are mistaken. But Italy are not stupid. They have seen our results and where we are in the group and will know it’s going to be tough.

“I’m sure they are professional enough to have a gameplan and carry that through.

“But the Italians will be under pressure and everyone in their country will expect them to win.

“I’m sure it was the same story for France. Everyone expected their side to go to Glasgow and come back with three points.

“They will expect to win but the lads will have something to say about that.”