Town centre-half Christophe Berra could win his 33rd full international cap when Scotland face Italy in a friendly in Malta this evening (Premier Sports, from 7.30pm).

Tonight's game, against one of the sides Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick will face with the Republic of Ireland in the group stages of the European Championships if they make the squad, is the first of two friendlies with the Scots taking on France, Berra’s father’s homeland, in Metz on Saturday.

Despite having already played 46 games during 2015/16 the 31-year-old, who has scored three international goals, isn’t complaining about the additional fixtures.

“Don't get me wrong, there’ll be boys tired, physically it's a long season and especially in the British game, it's a high tempo, but it's only an extra 10 days and there's no better feeling that representing your country and hearing that national anthem,” he told the Sunday Herald.

“The boys will be going out to do everyone proud. Obviously some have had some holidays, I managed to get a week away with my daughter, but to be honest we all wanted to be playing the Euros and we wouldn't have been complaining then about only having two weeks’ holiday.

“It's part and parcel of being a professional sportsman. We have a great life, a great lifestyle, a great job, but you have to take the odd downside.”

Berra says his father will firmly be behind him during Saturday’s game, despite his split loyalties.

“He still has a little French accent, but he has been in Scotland for 40-odd years,” the Edinburgh-born defender said.

“I’m sure he will be supporting his son but he will always look out for France. At first his loyalties were to France after he first came here and he still keeps in contact with people over there but I’d class him more as Scottish than French now.”

Reflecting on the friendlies, he added: “They are two massive nations with a lot of expectations on their shoulders to do well in the tournament.

“We know Italy will be well drilled and they have good individuals. They have picked up a lot recently and are getting back to what they used to be.

“France have picked up as well and they both have world class players. We will have to be really on it if we want to be competitive. We need a performance we can build on to take into the qualifiers.

“They will either be full throttle ahead of the competition or be a bit tired from the league campaign and not want to pick up any injuries.

“They might want to be fresher for when the real action starts, but I would prefer they were at full throttle.”

Photo: Action Images

corfu72 added 11:04 - May 29 Good luck CB,just don't get injured and enjoy the sun.!!
2

Ipswich Town Polls