Scotland managed to rattle Champions League hero Rodri last time round.
Now their task is halting fellow Manchester City Treble winner and free-scoring phenomenon Erling Haaland. Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 shock troops sit top of Group A in the wake of wins over Cyprus and Spain. Next up is Haaland’s Norway on Saturday evening and then a home clash with Georgia a week tonight.
Scotland beat the Spaniards 2-0 at Hampden last time out, which triggered a fiery blast from Rodri. He might be on top of the world after Saturday’s club triumph over Inter Milan but in the last qualifying double-header Scotland left his national side on the floor. The City star, rather than giving Clarke’s boys credit for their success, slaughtered their tactics and time-wasting approach. It sent tongues wagging and Lewis Ferguson admits many of his Bologna team-mates were asking him about Rodri’s outburst when he returned to training.
The Scotland midfielder said: “When I went back in, some of the boys had seen the result and had asked me how the game had gone. Rodri made his comments and my team-mates were basically laughing at what he had said.
“I told them we played well but, of course, we time-wasted. Who wouldn’t when you are 2-0 up against Spain? It is normal. It was our biggest result in a long time. I can’t remember a better result than that. It’s not as if we sat in and robbed them because we played really well and that adds to it. The performance was brilliant.”
Ferguson knows Norway have made a slow start to Group A by their standards but is well aware they will fancy their chances of getting back in the qualifying mix. Talk of their quality always turns to Haaland but the former Aberdeen star reckons they boast a number of threats.
The 23-year-old said: “They have some unbelievable players, to name but one in Haaland. He has had some season and scored an unbelievable number of goals.
“Everyone talks about Haaland but Norway have a lot of good players. Look at Martin Odegaard, he has also had some season with Arsenal. And I’ve played against the likes of Kris Ajer and Moi Elyounoussi, who were at Celtic.
“Norway might not have started the campaign the way they wanted but they will still believe they can get back into the qualifying fight. We know we will have to play well to take anything.
“These two games are massive. If we can go and add to the last two results, we will put ourselves in an even better position. But we are aware we face two really tough games and we will need to be ready. I am looking forward to some important games. The last camp was so brilliant results-wise and everything was so positive.
“The mood has been brilliant and it has been like that for my full two years apart from maybe around the play-off game when we lost to Ukraine. That has been the only low point.”
Ferguson has happy memories from Norway. He went there and helped the Dons to a 2-0 win over Viking in the Europa League in 2020. He added: “We played Viking during Covid. We beat them 2-0 away and then 2-1 at home. Hopefully that theme will continue with Scotland!” Ferguson has firmly established himself in the national squad but admits trying to break into the midfield engine room is as tough as it gets.
Clarke can call on players such Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ryan Jack, Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour for the central positions. Ferguson knows he can have no complaints because his longer serving team-mates have helped set and maintain standards.
He said: “It is difficult but that is what you want if you are Scotland manager. “Having strength in depth all over the squad is only good for the team and it is showing in our results and performances. It was the same when I first broke in – the midfield is so strong. We have the likes of McGinn, McGregor, McTominay and Billy is back playing well. We have so many top players like Ryan Jack and Kenny. We have top quality players in there but all I can do is train as best I can and show I am prepared and ready to play.
“We have such a good, strong team and we have competition all over the park. For myself, the midfield is strong. I can’t sit here and say these boys shouldn’t be playing because they should. They have done really well for Scotland over the past few years. They have been excellent and it is difficult for me not to get as many minutes. But I just need to be patient. Hopefully then my time will come.”
