Guus slams striker pain game story

Jun 8 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

RUSSIA boss Guus Hiddink has blasted critics who accused him of putting star striker Pavel Pogrebnyak's career at risk.

The Zenit St Petersburg forward - who missed the UEFA Cup Final with Rangers through suspension - picked up a knee injury playing against Serbia in May and hasn't kicked a ball since.

But Hiddink kept him with the Russian squad in Innsbruck amid reports he was going to throw him in against Spain in their opening group game against doctor's orders.

The Dutch coach has refuted the claims though and insists it was Pogrebnyak's decision to remain with the squad.

And Hiddink last night ended days of speculation over Pogrebnyak by announcing the striker will leave the training camp.

Hiddink said: "We tried as much as possible but at the end the player made the decision not to continue and to leave the camp.

"However, to suggest I'd risk his career by playing him is totally untrue.

"What is true is that Pogrebnyak was extensively examined in Munich by a doctor andwas actually given the green light to play at the Championships.

"He was given that advice by an expert.

"It was up to Pavel whether he wanted to stay with the squad. I played no part in it at all.

"That makes it strange for me to hear that I'm knowingly putting the career of a young sportsman at risk."

The controversy surrounding Pogrebnyak's injury has caused needless unrest in the Russian camp before their first Group D game against Spain on Tuesday.

That's why Hiddink, tipped by many to lead his under-rated side to the trophy, has kept his players away from the media in the build-up to their opening clash.

The 61-year-old former Real Madrid and Holland boss has turned Russia's luxurious mountain-side hotel into a no-go zone for journalists and used a side exit at his squad's training ground to avoid interviews.

Hiddink said: "I have to prevent these kind of distractions seeping into the squad."