Outnumbered Berra Hoping to Have Last Laugh
Friday, 14th Nov 2014 06:00

Scotland international Christophe Berra admits he is outnumbered by team-mates whose loyalties lie with the Republic of Ireland ahead of this evening’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier between the two countries at Celtic Park (Sky Sports 5, 7pm).

Berra has felt he has had no choice but to keep his powder dry ahead of the game, even trying to avoid the subject when chatting to room-mate Daryl Murphy as the big fixture has drawn closer.

While Murphy has been able to call on colleagues Stephen Hunt and Conor Sammon for support as well as manager Mick McCarthy and now David McGoldrick, who was a late call into the Irish party after his qualification was confirmed, Berra is the only Scot in the current squad.

“I’m outnumbered,” he laughed. “There’s Daryl, Hunty and Conor, never mind the gaffer, so I’m not even going to bother.

“I could do with a few reinforcements — maybe I’ll get John Wark, who comes in once a week, on my side!

“With the game at Parkhead, and bearing in mind the Irish connection with Celtic, it’s going to be a great occasion and atmosphere.

“Daryl thinks they are going to win but it’s going to be very competitive and we definitely have a chance.

“It will be a British-style game and I think it’s too hard to call when you look at the individuals throughout the two squads.

“They all play in the English or Scottish Premier League, or the Championship, so they are all very capable players. It will be about who turns up on the day.

“All the home countries are looking good to qualify, with the top two in each group going through automatically and the third-placed teams going into the play-offs.

“It has maybe put more pressure on a lot of nations but you’ve just got to take one game at a time and look to get as many points on the board as possible.”

Ireland are currently second in the group on seven points from three games behind leaders Poland on goal difference, with Scotland fourth on four behind third-placed Germany with everyone having played three games.

“We’re not setting targets, just looking to win as many games as we can, especially at home, and also trying to pick up something away from home,” added Berra, who has won 28 caps, scoring two goals, but has yet to start a game under Gordon Strachan’s management.

“It has obviously been disappointing for me not to have been in the side recently because I love playing for my country.

“I played consistently and regularly back in the day but when I dropped out of the side at Wolves I never got back in to the Scotland team.

“But all credit to the boys because they have started to get results and have been doing really well.

“I don’t have any qualms about not being in the side at the moment because the guys who have been playing have not done anything wrong and have looked quite solid. The manager has been sticking with it and he has every right to do so.”

Even if they cannot see eye to eye internationally, Berra is quick to praise club colleague Murphy for his scoring exploits at club level, with the Irishman now the division’s joint-top scorer on 10 goals.

Berra added: “He has done incredibly well this season so long may it continue. The more goals he scores for Ipswich, the better it is for all of us. I know all about his qualities from facing him in training when I tend not to dive in too much.

“We are room-mates on away trips. He is always on his laptop watching DVDs and stuff like that, while I’m out either getting a massage or having a coffee.

“We’re in and out, not just sitting there all the time talking about football. It’s a good chance to chill and have some downtime.

“Of course, there have been a few comments about the game but more so from his side and I’ve trying to stay quiet, for the time being.”

While Berra, Murphy and McGoldrick will be hoping to be involved at Celtic Park this evening, Blues centre-half Tommy Smith is expected to add to his 27 caps and two goals when New Zealand take on China in a friendly in Nanchang.

Smith's room-mate, Leicester's Chris Wood, has been handed the captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Winston Reid.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old midfielder Adam McDonnell was an unused sub as the Republic of Ireland U19s beat Malta 1-0 in the opening game of their European Championships qualification mini-group in Waterford.

The Irish youngsters are next in action against Gibraltar at Wexford’s Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

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