Scotland will be next victims of Macedonian shock troops, warns Goran Stanic

Aug 31 2008 By Gavin Berry

GORAN STANIC has seen world-class stars like Brian Laudrup, Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric slip up in Skopje - and warned Scotland they could be next to crash in the Macedonian capital.

The East Fife defender can't wait to see his country take on his adopted homeland in a historic first-ever meeting on Saturday that kicks off World Cup qualifying. But the man who has spent five years in Scotland is adamant Macedonia are at their best as underdogs on their own patch - and he has the stats to prove it.

The former Yugoslav state held then Euro champions Denmark to a draw in their first match as an independent country. They also drew with Holland in qualifying for World Cup 2006 and beat Croatia last year.

And in one of Stanic's two games for Macedonia they wrecked Ireland's Euro 2000 hopes with a 1-1 draw.

Now the ex-Raith Rovers, Livingston and St Johnstone ace is warning George Burley's men what to expect.

Stanic said: "Macedonia play better against the bigger teams. When they are favourites they tend not to win, unlike when they are underdogs.

"In one of my two caps we played Ireland in Skopje and they had to win to qualify for Euro 2000.

"We equalised late on to earn a 1-1 draw and that is the type of result Macedonia can get at home. Another example was our first ever match as an independent country against Denmark when they'd just won the European Championships in 1992.

"The Danes had Brian Laudrup and all these stars but we took the lead after four minutes and although they scored late on the result was still a big surprise.

"And in the last World Cup qualifiers the only games Holland didn't win were against Macedonia - we drew home and away. Then we beat group winners Croatia 2-0 at home in qualifying for Euro 2008.

"We have drawn twice against England as well but both those results were away so are not a reflection on what Scotland face on Saturday.

"People regard Macedonia as the outsiders in Group 9 and say we don't have a chance - that is the biggest thing in our favour.

"Andorra beat us four years ago and that proves we don't do well when we're under pressure and expected to win.

"That's why I'm confident for the games against Scotland and Holland.

"Macedonia believe they can beat the Scots and will give the rest a run for their money in this group.

"My East Fife team-mates are joking this game will be easy for Scotland but maybe I will be the one laughing on Saturday. This Macedonian team have played together for a long time and now is the best chance to achieve something."

Stanic also knows the searing heat will be a big factor for the Scots - after once watching St Johnstone wilt in the Glasgow sunshine in April!

He said: "The temperature could be up to 40 degrees and that won't suit Burley's men - sometimes 20 degrees in Scotland is too stifling for players!

"When I played for St Johnstone against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semis last year guys were complaining it was too hot. So I can't imagine what the Scots will think of Skopje in September."

However, Stanic admits Macedonia have problems of their own with boss Srecko Katanec under fire after failing to meet expectations.

He said: "Macedonia expected to finish third or fourth in Euro 2008 qualification and ended up fifth.

"Katanec has been in charge since 2006 but a lot of people don't like him. He is Slovenian and spends all his time there. Some say he doesn't watch enough games in the Macedonian league.

"The best players are abroad and Goran Pandev is top of the lot. Everything focuses on him and he is given a free role up front."