Gordon shrugs off Italian claims

12 April 2012

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists Italian jibes will have no effect on Alex McLeish's squad ahead of Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Georgia.

The Scots need four points from their remaining two matches to guarantee a place at next summer's finals and the second of those games is next month against the Italians, whose World Cup final hero Fabio Grosso has cast doubt on whether the Scots can handle the pressure.

But Gordon said: "That kind of stuff is par for the course - it's always going to happen. It makes no difference who said what. Of course there is always going to be pressure at this stage of the campaign but it is the kind you want to be involved in."

He added: "We are relishing it and we are happy to see other teams resorting to those kind of tactics."

Gordon, the Sunderland goalkeeper, added: "I know that we have the character for these very difficult games and that we have no reason to fear the last two qualifiers."

Scotland will be without Scott Brown and Alan Hutton due to injury on Wednesday, while Lee McCulloch and Garry O'Connor are suspended, forcing manager McLeish into a reshuffle.

Manchester United's Darren Fletcher should come into midfield after injury, with Graham Alexander and Gary Teale both potential starters.

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