VELICHE Sumulikoski is more than happy to risk the wrath of everyone at Ipswich Town by helping to inflict defeat on Scotland in George Burley's first competitive match as Scotland manager.
The Macedonia midfielder, 27, may only have joined Ipswich in January, but he has been there long enough to know just how popular a figure Burley still is at Portman Road thanks to successful spells as both player and manager.
A former manager o
f Derby, Hearts and Southampton, Burley faces his toughest test in charge of the national team when he heads into tomorrow's World Cup qualifying opener in Skopje still searching for his first win. But Sumulikoski is equally keen to see the Macedonians get off to a flier before playing host to Group 9 favourites Holland four days later.
"I don't know George Burley, but, because I play for Ipswich, I know all about what he achieved at the club," he said. "He is still spoken about around the club and that is a sign of how popular he is here. But hopefully he will not be smiling on Saturday.
"We are in a very tough group, we know that, but the first two games are key for us. If we can get some points from Scotland and Holland at home, it will give us a chance of achieving something in the group.
We have a chance against Scotland, but we know it will be a hard game."
Scotland's biggest concern ahead of the trip to Skopje is the searing temperatures after they were beaten 3-1 in a friendly against the Czech Republic in the heat of Prague in May.
Sumulikoski expects the conditions to be a factor, but not decisive in the outcome of the game. "It will be very hot, perhaps 30 degrees, so that will help us," he added.
Meanwhile, East Fife defender Goran Stanic has warned Scotland not to underestimate his native Macedonia this weekend. And Stanic – who joined the Fifers this summer after spells at Livingston, Raith Rovers and St Johnstone in the last five years – believes the clash will witness a real clash of styles. "It will be a very difficult game for both teams," he said.
"Macedonia are like other countries in the Balkans, they like to pass the ball well and keep the ball on the deck all the time. It's maybe slower than Scottish football, but the Macedonian players know each other well and I think they have a good chance."
But the Scotland fan admits his loyalties will be split this weekend. He said: "Every time Scotland play other teams, I always support Scotland, but it's now a bit difficult because I was born in Macedonia and my family is there, so I will have to support Macedonia."
FACT BOXMacedonia's recent results:Luxembourg (A) Fr (Aug 08) W 4-1
Poland (H) Fr (May 08) D 1-1
Bosnia (A) Fr (Mar 08) D 2-2
Serbia (H) Fr (Feb 08) D 1-1
Israel (A) ECQ (Nov 07) L 0-1
Croatia (H) ECQ (Nov 07) W 2-0
Andorra (H) ECQ (Oct 07) W 3-0
Estonia (H) ECQ (Sep 07) D 1-1
Russia (A) ECQ (Sep 07) L 0-3
Nigeria (H) Fr (Aug 07) D 0-0
Israel (H) ECQ (Jul 07) L 0-1
Croatia (A) ECQ (Mar 07) L 1-2
Albania (A) Fr (Feb 07) W 1-0
Russia (H) ECQ (Nov 06) L 0-2
Andorra (A) ECQ (Oct 06) W 3-0
England (A) ECQ (Oct 06) D 0-0
England (H) ECQ (Sep 06) L 0-1
Estonia (A) ECQ (Aug 06) W 1-0
Fr > Friendly
ECQ > Euro 2008 qualifierThe full article contains 625 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
