Russians start mind games ahead of Ireland clash
Tuesday, 3 September 2002 14:03Russia goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin has started the mind games ahead of their Euro 2004 qualifier against Ireland, accusing Mick McCarthy's men of being a "dirty team."
Nigmatullin, who was in goal last February when Ireland beat Russia 2-0 in a friendly at Lansdowne Road said "They are a dirty team. They try to hit you in the back, hit you from behind, use their elbows, all that stuff, so we have to be careful."
Alexei Smertin, who will captain the Russians against the Boys in Green, echoed Nigmatullin's sentiments and said "I know that players on many teams in the West are specifically instructed to use their elbows and aim for the head when they go for high balls."
However Russian coach Valery Gazzayev has warned his players about taking Ireland lightly and he believes that Ireland will be his side's main competitors at the top of their qualifying group. "The Irish don't have superstars on their team, but we all know they have plenty of other qualities like toughness, character and their fighting spirit is second to none. We regard them as a very serious opponent, one of our main contenders in the group" he insisted.
Filed by Rob Wright
