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LIVE BBC COVERAGE
Scotland v Iceland
Saturday 29 March KO 1500 GMT
Live on BBC Radio Scotland and this website
Highlights on BBC One Scotland at 2335 GMT |
Scotland manager Berti Vogts will look to his leaders to provide the inspiration for a win over Iceland in Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier.
Old Firm captains Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson are certain to form a central midfield partnership, while Hearts skipper Steven Pressley should bring organisation to the defence.
Pressley is set to win his sixth cap at Hampden and the powerful centre half says Lambert and Ferguson are perfect role models.
"Lambert has got that steely determination and you don't win the European Cup, play for Borussia Dortmund and captain Celtic without it," said Pressley.
"Barry Ferguson is captain of Rangers and Christian Dailly is a strong character."
Vogts is likely to partner Pressley with Dailly and Lee Wilkie after a solid performance from those three in the 2-0 win when the sides met in Reykjavik in October.
Gary Naysmith, who scored along with Dailly in the win in Iceland, is favourite for the berth wide on the left.
And Paul Devlin, who impressed a substitute in last month's friendly defeat by the Republic of Ireland, could get the nod on the opposite flank.
Bradford City's Andy Gray has been drafted into the Scotland squad for the first time following the withdrawal of Scott Dobie, but is unlikely to be pitched in.
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OTHER EURO 2004 TEAM NEWS
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Vogts' striking options have been limited by the decision of Leicester City's Paul Dickov to undergo surgery.
And Rangers' Steven Thompson is suspended for the Iceland match but available for next Wednesday's game with Lithuania.
Dunfermline's Stevie Crawford is an almost certain starter up front.
And Vogts must decide whether to go with the experienced Don Hutchison, who is lacking first team practice as a result of a long-term injury, or the in-form Kenny Milller, who has only played 10 minutes of full international football.
Vogts may opt to play both men with West Ham's Hutchison playing behind a front two.
Vogts has released young defenders Andy Webster and Gary Caldwell to join the under-21 set up, while full-back Maurice Ross is another suspended for the first of Scotland's matches.
Partick Thistle keeper Kenny Arthur has been drafted into the squad as replacement for third-choice Neil Alexander, who is injured.
A first Hampden victory for Vogts would end Iceland's hopes of finishing second in the group behind Group Five favourites Germany.
The visitors have suffered a blow with striker Heidar Helguson being ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Iceland manager Atli Edvaldsson had intended to pair the Watford man in attack with Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen - that role is likely to go to Marel Baldvinsson of Lokeren.
But first-choice goalkeeper Arni Arason, of Rosenborg, has recovered following three weeks out with a shoulder injury.
