WORK CUT OUT

Ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifying match with Scotland, Serbia captain Branislav Ivanovic has said that his team have their work cut out due to the defeat they suffered a few days ago to Croatia.

Serbia were at home to Croatia in the World Cup qualifying match, but they suffered a 2-0 defeat that has made them unlikely candidates to even finish in the play-offs position. Belgium and Croatia continue to lead the group with just a few points separating them. Serbia are the third place, but they have to make up a huge points difference with just a few matches remaining.


Ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifying match with Scotland, Serbia captain Branislav Ivanovic has said that his team have their work cut out due to the defeat they suffered a few days ago to Croatia.

Serbia were at home to Croatia in the World Cup qualifying match, but they suffered a 2-0 defeat that has made them unlikely candidates to even finish in the play-offs position. Belgium and Croatia continue to lead the group with just a few points separating them. Serbia are the third place, but they have to make up a huge points difference with just a few matches remaining.

They will be facing Scotland on Wednesday night. Even though Scotland are yet to win a single match in the World Cup qualifying campaign so far, Ivanovic reckons that they should not be underestimated. Scotland recently appointed former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has the replacement for Craig Levein. Scotland have taken just two points from the five matches played so far. However, the arrival of a new manager is certainly expected to produce a response from the team according to Ivanovic.

The Chelsea defender has been one of the consistent performers for the Serbian national team over the last few years after the numerous injury problems suffered by Nemanja Vidic.

“We’re back in our country where everyone is disappointed in us – the media, supporters, everyone. The first test of how good we are and whether we have the right team will be against Scotland. Heavy pressure is on our backs but we have to endure it. We must show more character and quality. It was very disappointing for our country and our supporters to lose to Croatia. We have to switch on again quickly and think only about our next game but it is difficult at the moment to focus on Scotland,” said Ivanovic.