Czechs will Bottle it says Christ Ophe Berra

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Czechs will Bottle it says Christ Ophe Berra
Above: Craig Mackail-Smith rises highest to head home the winner against Lichtenstein

CHRISTOPHE BERRA reckons Scotland will nab a Euro 2012 play- off spot because their Czech rivals will bottle it.

Second-placed Scotland sit one point clear of the Czech Republic in Group I going into tomorrow’s finale after Saturday’s 1-0 win in Lichtenstein.

But while Scotland can expect little or nothing from their clash with World and European champions Spain, Berra believes the Czechs will also come up short in their final game in Lithuania.

Wolves defender Berra said: “It’s not an easy game for the Czechs. Lithuania have beaten them already in this campaign.

“We have the points on the board just now so the pressure is on them really. They are the ones who need to get a win or at least a draw.

“It will be a funny game in Lithuania. There probably won’t be much of an atmosphere, it is not a great stadium and the pitch won’t be the greatest, so anything can happen.

“We are not expected to win against Spain. If we get anything out of the game, it would be a big upset really.

“You have to be professional and try to go out there and take care of our- selves and the Lithuania and Czech game will take care of itself.”

Berra admits Scotland’s fate is not in their own hands, even though they hold a slender advantage.

“Spain are probably one of the best international teams ever,” he said.

“I don’t think there has been any better.

“They have won the European Championships and the World Cup, so not many teams in history have been better than this Spanish team.

“I don’t think you will get any bigger a game and it won’t get any tougher as well – the World Cup winners at their place with a full stadium.

“There will be a lot of Scots there, so it will be a great atmosphere and any player would relish that.”

Boss Craig Levein is sweating over the fitness of Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan, while striker Kenny Miller’s groin injury will be assessed again today.

“Barry Bannan has a gash on his heel and he was uncomfortable this morning,” said Levein. “It is a really awkward area.

“Craig Mackail-Smith’s back is bothering him a bit and he’s a history of that.

“There are quite a few niggles but we will get a clearer picture tomorrow.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to Kenny or the doctor, but he is another in the wait-and- see category.”