We must beware Norway backlash, warns George Burley

Oct 5 2008 By Mark Guidi

GEORGE BURLEY will warn his players not to be fooled by Norway's disastrous start to Group Nine - because the marauding Vikings are capable of winning at Hampden.

Age Hareide's side were held 2-2 at home by Iceland in their opening game and now must beat Scotland to have any chance of finishing in the top two.

With quality strikers such as John Carew and Steffen Iversen in their squad Burley knows Norway will be desperate to claw their way back in to the reckoning with victory on Saturday.

The Scotland boss said: "Norway like to attack and play with a diamond shape, quite a positive formation.

"Iversen plays behind two strikers, one of themwill be Carew who is on form for Aston Villa and scoring goals.

"He has a physical presence and is a top-class international. His strengths are attacking deliveries in the box and getting balls in to his feet with his back to goal.

"Players like him need ammunition so it's important to shut off both types of supply.

"Norway can be direct and like to get the ball out to wide areas. John Arne Riise bombs forward on the left and looks to supply Carew all day long.

"We must also be wary of Iversen but won't man-mark him. He is a goal threat and likes to come froma bit deeper to attack balls in the box.

"Defender Brede Hangeland from Fulham is also a threat. He is tall and an Alan Hansen type player who likes to come out the ball. So there's no doubt Norway are a strong side. They will come to Hampden looking to win - they can't afford to lose.

"They will have a go - they are strong at set-pieces and we must be alert."

Burley knows victory will almost certainly shunt Norway out of the qualification equation and put his side in a healthy position with six points from their first three games ahead of the daunting trip to Holland next March.

The Scots gaffer respects the Scandinavians but reckons they are not the force they were in the 90s under eccentric boss Egil Olsen - a one-time managerial target for Celtic before Jozef Venglos was appointed.

Burley said: "We can cause any team problems from set-pieces. Our midfielders are also good at getting forward to link with the strikers.

"I like short passing and good movement - the players know what is expected. Our passing game was good in Iceland and in the second half against Macedonia so we want to build on that.

"We're learning all the time as a team and I'm still learning about the players. We have a good team spirit and must try to kick on from the win in Iceland."

Burley expects an old-fashioned British-style game on Saturday and while his side won't shy away from the tough stuff, a physical tussle will suit the towering Norwegians more.

He said: "They will be a handful and we must be solid. Our players are used to a physical challenge, it won't frighten us.

"But we have our strengths and will cause them problems. We're at Hampden for the first time in this campaign and want a good result."