Wales v Scotland: Colin Hendry expects reaction from Welsh

ALAN TEMPLE
Published on Friday 12 October 2012 01:33

COLIN Hendry believes Scotland must be wary of a backlash from “embarrassed” Wales this evening as the home nations square off in a pivotal World Cup qualifier.

The Tartan Army icon reckons the encounter is a 
must-win match for national manager Craig Levein, who saw his team limp to insipid home draws against Serbia and Macedonia last month.

Consequently, with two points from two matches at Hampden, Scottish hopes of reaching Brazil 2014 hang in the balance ahead of the trip to Cardiff.

However Hendry concedes that, following a 2-0 defeat to Belgium and a 6-1 annihilation in Serbia to kick off their own campaign, a wounded Wales will be a difficult proposition. The 51-cap defender, now a coach at Blackburn Rovers, said: “It’s not an easy game in the slightest for Scotland to be travelling to Wales.

“Chris [Coleman] has said himself that the 6-1 defeat in Serbia was embarrassing, so coming home they will be determined to produce a result and a performance for their fans. But there is no doubt we have to win the match. Even a win against one of Serbia or Macedonia last month would have left us in a difficult position, but two draws has made things very difficult.

“Croatia, Serbia and Belgium all have to play each other and will hopefully take points off each other, so we have to strike when we get the opportunity and get points on the board from our winnable games.”

Scotland’s hopes of claiming a vital victory against Chris Coleman’s men have been boosted by the return from the international wilderness of striker Steven Fletcher.

With five goals from five Premiership outings since his £12 million move from Wolves to Sunderland in August, the 25-year-old is a tantalising option for goal-shy Scotland. However, it has not yet been announced whether the in-form front-man will start ahead of Kenny Miller, or whether Levein may deploy both men.

Hendry believes there is no doubt that Fletcher will start the match and make his first international appearance since a 3-0 defeat in Sweden on August 2010. “I think Steven Fletcher will play, there are no two ways about it,” he said.

“He has moved for a lot of money and, with that pressure, he has produced by scoring goals already.”

Taken from the Scotsman