Macedonia star dreading 'hell atmosphere' at Hampden

AGIM IBRAHIMI believes the passionate Scotland support will crank up the atmosphere to back their troops and said: “We are sure that a hell atmosphere is awaiting us.”

MACEDONIA ace Agim Ibrahimi reckons his team are facing HELL at Hampden.

But coach Cedomir Janevski hopes the fiery atmosphere of the Tartan Army will be turned around to put a full blast of heat on to Craig Levein’s team.

Agim believes the passionate Scotland support will crank up the atmosphere to back their troops and said: “We are sure that a hell atmosphere is awaiting us.”

Boss Janevski, however, heard a section of Scottish fans boo Levein’s team at the end of the 0-0 draw with Serbia at the weekend and knows backing could turn to barracking if Macedonia can frustrate the hosts.

He said: “The Scotland supporters are behind them and leading their team.

“Scotland are favourites and it’s important for us not to lose a goal in the beginning of the game.

“If you have 0-0 for a long time the confidence can get much better for us, especially playing away from home.

“You don’t know what the reaction of the supporters would be after that but we have to focus on ourselves.

“Playing against Scotland at Hampden is not an easy game for anyone.

“They have big ambitions to qualify and had chances against Serbia to win but we had the same problem in Croatia. Without scoring goals, you can’t win.

“I don’t know if Scotland can play better but they have the potential to beat anyone at home. I saw the Serbia game. Scotland had good counter-attacks and are dangerous from deadballs.

“But we have our own ambitions having played well against Croatia, despite taking no points.

“Although Scotland are favourites at home we have confidence from Zagreb and will try to have a good performance and take points from Glasgow.”

Janevski knows Levein is under scrutiny from the fans after the weekend slip and has no intention of letting him off the hook.

He added: “Your coach has his problems and I have mine. I’ve just got to look at my players.

“They are motivated and we’re going into the game to perform the same as we did against Croatia.

“We go to every game to play well and we’ll see where we get our points.

“I don’t know what the plan is for Scotland but you can’t have too many changes in a short space of time.

“Kenny Miller played against Serbia but I saw last month’s game against Australia and there were was Jordan Rhodes who scored.

“Maybe he can start with two strikers as he finished against Serbia. That’s up to him but we are prepared for Plan A and Plan B.

“I have confidence in my players and that gives me a good feeling. I know how some countries improve their FIFA rankings by choosing friendly opponents so they win and gain points.

“But Croatia are ninth in the FIFA rankings and we’re 97th yet I didn’t see that difference in Friday’s game.

“My team is in form and I hope that continues.

“In this group nobody talks about Macedonia and Wales but they can make progress.”

Taken from the Daily Record