McLeish urges Scotland to make history

SCOTLAND manager Alex McLeish has urged his players to make history when they face world champions Italy in tonight’s crucial European Championship qualifier.

Previous meetings between the two nations have not been kind to the Scots, who have failed to register so much as a draw on Italian soil in four attempts.

In fact, the only time they have managed to score against the Azzurri in their own backyard was Kevin Gallacher’s consolation strike in a 3-1 defeat in Rome 13 years ago.

However, McLeish sees no reason why his current crop of players cannot re-write the script in Bari’s San Nicola Stadium tonight. Scotland head into the clash hoping to defend their position as Group B leaders and confidence is high in the camp following Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Georgia at Hampden.

McLeish said: “We know it will be difficult because no Scotland team has taken a point there before but we can make history. We’re looking forward to the game, this is what it’s all about, and it will be fantastic for the players.”

McLeish faces some difficult decisions in terms of team selection over the next 24 hours. Centre-half Steven Pressley is free of suspension but an impressive performance from Celtic club-mate Stephen McManus against Georgia in his absence could be taken into consideration.

Up front, Craig Beattie and Kris Boyd were both on target at the weekend and will be hoping they have done enough to stake a claim for a place.

However, Kenny Miller has far more experience at international level and found the back of the net the last time Scotland played Italy.

McLeish knows he has some tough calls to make but insists he will not be worried about bruised egos.

He said: “I’m not about to reveal the team at the moment because I haven’t spoken to the players yet. They will be the first to know. I’ll have to make difficult decisions.”

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has some tremendous players at his disposal but finds himself under fire after just six games in charge. He took over the reigns from Marcello Lippi in the wake of last summer’s World Cup success but just two competitive wins against Ukraine and Georgia — and a morale-sapping defeat to France — means the Group B table does not make happy reading for Italy.

Reports in the Italian press claim AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti has already been lined up to replace Donadoni and former Rangers boss McLeish can empathise with his opposite number.

“We’ve all been there, haven’t we?” he said. “It’s a results-driven business and if you don’t get the results that the public and the press demand then you’re going to get it in the neck.”

“We want to get the double, just like France did in 1998 and 2000. We have 12 world champions in this national team, full of enthusiasm.”

Donadoni will be hoping to welcome back goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was unable to train yesterday after struggling with a stomach bug.

Should Buffon not pass a late fitness test, Torino goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will take his place.

Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta has recovered from a muscular injury and will play alongside Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale, in support of lone striker Luca Toni.