Norway can take advantage of Barry Ferguson absence, warns Blackburn ace Pedersen

Oct 5 2008 By Gavin Berry

NORWAY ace Morten Gamst Pedersen wants to cash in on Barry Ferguson's injury by plundering vital World Cup points from Scotland at Hampden on Saturday.

The Blackburn Rovers star knows just how good our national team skipper is after their time together in the English Premiership at Ewood Park.

This weekend's clash with the Norwegians could be the last Group Nine qualifier Rangers midfielder Ferguson willmiss as he recovers from a summer ankle operation.

And Pedersen hopes to take full advantage by claiming a win in Glasgow - just as Norway did when the sides met at Hampden in 2004.

Morten said: "Barry was captain of Blackburn and I saw he was a great player.

"Part of me was surprised when he left Rovers but he might have gone back for personal reasons.

"That was four years ago and things have gone well for him back at Rangers.

"Maybe he felt safer and more comfortable in his own country. I'm not glad Barry is injured but I'm glad he's not going to play at Hampden and hopefully we can take advantage.

"I live in Manchester but didn't go to last season's UEFA Cup Final - I should have asked Barry for tickets.

"I heard it was a bit mad but the Rangers fans are unbelievable.

"I wanted them to win for Barry's sake because his love for Rangers was the main reason he left Blackburn.

"The club likes him and he likes the club. It's the perfect marriage."

Pedersen also knows Scotland have another midfield danger man in Manchester United star Darren Fletcher.

And he's wary of other Scots who have played against him down south.

He said: "I know about Kenny Miller, James McFadden and Fletcher.

"I probably know Fletcher most because we've played United so many times.

"You don't play for them unless you are a good player so his ability is not in doubt.

"He has quality around him - for club and country.

"And his confidence must be high after a good start to the season. If Scotland hit the level they reached against Italy and France they can be a dangerous team.

"Holland are odds-on to win the group but there is nothing between us and Scotland for second.

"In Euro 2008 qualifiers we didn't do so well against the best teams but were consistent against sides we were expected to beat.

"In the past Norway did well against nations like Brazil, who have never beaten us, yet played poorly against lesser teams.

"I'd rather be good against both types but in this group there are no poor teams."

The Tartan Army often act as a 12th man for Scotland but Pedersen revealed the Hampden atmosphere actually fires him up.

The 27-year-old said: "The last time we were there it was amazing, one of the best atmospheres I've played in.

"They did the whole Braveheart thing before kick-off and all you could hear was 'Freedom!' booming out. And 'I Would Walk 500 Miles' too - that's a quality song.

"I loved playing in that kind of atmosphere and had goose pimples.

"The fans enjoy being there to support their team and it's like playing at Old Trafford or Anfield.

"Anfield is smaller but the crowd are passionate and you can see they care about their team.

"I get the same feeling in Scotland and love the people there.

"The only problem I have is with the dialect."