Berbatov says United teammates in for hot Bulgaria reception

BULGARIA captain Dimitar Berbatov has warned his Manchester United team-mates John O’Shea and Darron Gibson to expect a hostile atmosphere when the Republic of Ireland play their World Cup qualifier in Sofia on Saturday.

“I have been speaking about the game a lot to both John and Darron, as we are together a lot of the time at United,” Berbatov said after training yesterday.

“They have told me that Ireland will come and win in Sofia, but I told them the opposite. It’s a big game and both teams want to win, but I can tell them that on the pitch there will be no friendship. Everyone will be trying their hardest.”