Scotland manager Berti Vogts has admitted that his side's Euro 2004 qualifying opponents this weekend must be regarded as favourites to win. The Scots travel to Reykjavik this weekend to take on Iceland who lie one place above Scotland in FIFA's official rankings at 62nd position.
"That is fair reasoning. Iceland are at home and most of the players play in England with Premier League clubs or the First Division, or in Belgium and Sweden. But we are strong enough and we can beat them," said the defiant German.
Last month's 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands caused a rift in the Scottish camp after Vogts publically criticised centre-backs Christian Dailly and David Weir with Weir going on to quit international football as a result.
Now, Vogts has decided to abandon his preferred 4-4-2 formation and instead use three centre-backs in Iceland. "Iceland play with two up front and four in midfield, four at the back. I think it is the only way, for us to play with three at the back. Normally, the Scottish style is to play with four. Rangers play with four, although there is only one Scottish player there. I prefer four but we have had a lot of problems in the centre. Now I have to close this door. I was thinking against the Faroes we could play one against one but it was not true," he explained.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
