Beware Of Greeks Bearing Gifts

Feb 10 2008 By Gordon Waddell

PANATHINAIKOS were more workmanlike than spectacular in their win over Veria - but it was clear they have gifted players who could cause Gers problems.

These are three of the stars who Walter Smith will need to do his homework on.

ANDREAS IVANSCHITZ: The midfielder is nicknamed the Austrian Beckham and apart from being all left peg rather than right it's easy to see why. So often the out ball for the Pana midfielders, he occupies the width on both sides of the park and takes all the set-pieces.

Lacks the pace to blow past full-backs but his delivery is superb. He's also not afraid to duck inside, probing and prompting to find a hole for his frontmen.

Ivanschitz, 24, already has 30 caps to his name and skippers his country. And when it mattered here he stepped up and got the job done, burying a magnificent left-foot freekick from 25 yards to seal the points.

MARCELO MATTOS: The cog at the centre of everything Panathinaikos do in the middle of the park. He's their Neil Lennon, their Brahim Hemdani, sitting tight between back four and the rest, taking the short balls and moving them on.

He wasn't tested defensively but the 23-year-old (pictured right) - signed from Corinthians - shuns the spectacular and gets the job done by reading the game from deep and picking his moments. Mind you, ignore him at your peril going forward - he hit a 25-yard screamer that the keeper could only parry to safety.

DAME N'DOYE: The Senegalese utility man (far right) is a handful wherever he plays.

Six foot three and with pace to burn, N'Doye, 23, started on the right side of the three supporting Giorgios Papadopulous.

That's his regular spot in midfield but he caused just as many problems when he was shifted up front.

He played there against Aberdeen in their 3-0 win here and his size and mobility - coupled with the predatory instincts of top-scorer Dimitrios Salpingidis - will give Carlos Cuellar and Davie Weir plenty to think about.

If he's used in midfield, Sasa Papac can brace himself for a tough shift.