WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING:SCOTLAND HAVE renewed hope of reaching the World Cup play-offs but assistant manager Terry Butcher has identified its limits, saying it is fanciful to believe the Netherlands will ease up at Hampden Park tomorrow night having already sealed their place in South Africa

It is not in Scotland’s nature to find an easy way out of qualification and Butcher discounted any suggestion yesterday it is all versus nothing in terms of the rewards at stake in Glasgow. A place in Bert van Marwijk’s squad for next summer and a desire to win eight out of eight in Group Nine were Butcher’s arguments in favour of Dutch motivation at Hampden.

“It is disrespectful to say they won’t be 100 per cent up for this game,” said Butcher. “It’s an international match and they all have World Cup places to aim for but only a few matches left to claim one.” Marwijk has spoken of promoting a relentless winning attitude in a Dutch team that will become the first in the nation’s illustrious history to qualify with a 100 per cent record with victory tomorrow. It was in Scotland’s best interests for the assistant manager to prepare for a gruelling night at Hampden.

“All that matters is the result and it could be a long night for us,” cautioned Butcher. “We have to be strong. We don’t want to be chasing the game and if we can keep it tight until the last 20 or 30 minutes, one set-piece might be enough.”

Scotland will be without the suspended James McFadden and the injured Callum Davidson, leading to call-ups yesterday for the midfield pair of Gavin Rae of Cardiff City, and West Bromwich’s uncapped Graham Dorrans. But Gary Caldwell is available after suspension and Scott Brown is expected to recover from injury.

Guardian Service