Town defender Christophe Berra says turning Friday’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley into a traditional “British-style match” would benefit his Scotland side (ITV from 7.15pm). The 31-year-old is hoping to be handed a recall for the crunch clash between international football’s oldest rivals.
"It’s a game between two British teams so it may make it a bit more of a British-type of match that is physical,” Berra told the Daily Record.
"The manager will decide the tactics but we can’t let them settle or get comfortable on the ball. We must put tackles in and make it a British-style match which could suit us.
"It’s like a cup final. We have to treat it as a normal match but there’ll be high levels of adrenaline. We’ll be away from home getting stick from their fans and that can drive us on.
"We’ll only be able to tell at full-time but it’s a game which will have to be played at a high tempo.”
The Edinburgh-born defender, who has previously won 33 caps and scored three international goals, is looking forward to perhaps the biggest game of his career.
"The whole country will be watching. Friday night, superb atmosphere and a match against our biggest rivals. It’s massive,” he added.
"If you look at their squad we’ll be seen as the underdogs with most of the English squad playing in the higher reaches of the English Premier League. But stranger things have happened and we’ll go there to do our best.
"It’s a tough place to go. They are a top team with good individuals and their qualifying record is exceptional.
"There is pressure on both teams because of pride but they are the ones who are favourites.
"We have to go out there and make a game of it, try to upset them and do what we have done against better nations.
"Yes it’s a qualifier, yes it’s another game and yes it’s three points, but no one can escape that it’s England. To beat them would be great for us and damaging for them.”
Berra has been an unused sub in Scotland’s three previous qualifiers - one win, one draw and one defeat which leaves them fourth in the group with England top - but could recalled to the starting line-up by manager Gordon Strachan.
"If they have come to watch me and think I’ve done enough I’ll play, if they don’t I won’t,” the former Hearts and Wolves defender continued. "I can’t hide the fact, however, that if I do get selected it will be a great honour.
"I feel as though I’m playing well and I’ve had a good season. There is a solid defensive unit at Ipswich and all I can do is play well for my club and then it’s down to the manager.”
Blues boss Mick McCarthy recently said he thought Berra was the best defender in the Championship, leading to inevitable comment from the defender’s friends.
"When the manager said what he said, my mates were straight on to WhatsApp giving me stick. They said I was being set up to have an absolute stinker!
"I’m level-headed and don’t get carried away when things are good and not downhearted when things are not so good.
"Don’t get me wrong, the manager was a great centre-back and he’s done well for me. I’d like to think I’ve done well for him and I’ve been consistent this season.
"We’re not conceding goals but that’s down to the whole team and reading it gave me confidence.
"Confidence but not cockiness though because a big mistake is right around the corner if you do that. Right now things are going well and I hope to keep it up.”
Meanwhile, Blues legend Kevin Beattie says former Town left-back Aaron Cresswell fully deserved this week's first England call-up, but doesn’t expect the 26-year-old, now with West Ham, to play against Scotland.
"I’ve got my fingers crossed for him, but I don’t think he’ll get a game, although he’ll be on the bench,” Beattie, who won all nine of his England caps playing at left-back, told TWTD. "I would think he’s more likely to play in the friendly against Spain.
"It’s well-deserved, he’s a tremendous footballer and he’s doing great at West Ham, excellently, even though they’re not doing that well this season. He deserves it.”