Alan Hutton insists belief in the Scotland camp is sky high as they aim to pull off a monumental upset against Spain to secure a Euro 2012 play-off spot.
Hutton is set to take his place in the Tartan Army's back four in the decisive Group I clash in Alicante this evening, although Villa team-mate Barry Bannan faces a late fitness test after injuring his achilles.
The Scots, who currently sit in second place, must match or better Czech Republic's result in Lithuania to reach the play-offs.
Hutton is relishing his nation's showdown with the reigning world and European champions, who have already qualified for next summer's Euro 2012 finals as group winners.
Having featured in Scotland's famous win over France in Paris four years ago, the full-back hopes to cause another shock in the back yard of a football superpower.
"Everyone can be beaten," he said. "It's very similar to France. No one expected us to really do anything against the French - one of the best teams in the world at the time.
"We are massive underdogs and that's good for Tuesday. They've already qualified easily. They might take it a bit easier and it gives us a chance.
"I'm pretty sure Spain are going to attack us and they're going to have a lot of possession of the ball so we're going to have a high level of concentration.
"It is probably going to be one of the biggest games that we're going to compete in so it's going to be tough.
"But I don't see why we can't give it our all and just give it a good old shot."
Shay Given and Richard Dunne can also clinch a Euro 2012 play-off spot if the Republic of Ireland avoid defeat against Armenia in Dublin.
Dunne returns from suspension for Ireland, who are a point ahead of tonight's opponents in Group B.
There is an outside chance of the Irish qualifying as group winners although that would require Andorra getting a positive result against leaders Russia in Moscow.
Charles N'Zogbia is with the France squad for their Group D decider against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Both teams are guaranteed at least a play-off spot but automatic qualification is still up for grabs with the French holding a slender one-point lead over Bosnia ahead of tonight's game in Paris.
Stiliyan Petrov's Bulgaria round off their Group G campaign against Wales in Sofia.
Youngsters Derrick Williams, Samir Carruthers and Graham Burke are in action for Republic of Ireland U19s in the final game of a three-team European Championship qualification tournament tonight.
The Irish team face Russia in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, having defeated the hosts 4-1 on Thursday before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Bosnia Herzegovina on Saturday.
Carruthers got himself on the scoresheet in the victory over Bulgaria and started both games along with Williams, although Burke had to settle for a 19-minute substitute appearance against Bosnia
No comments:
Post a Comment