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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Scotland opponents branded 'amateurs' by own manager ahead of World Cup warm-up

Dick Advocaat has suggested his Curacao side are 'amateurs' on the international stage (Image: Shutterstock)

Scotland will face a team full of 'amateurs' on the international stage when they entertain Curacao, according to former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat.

The veteran manager will return to Hampden to take charge of the Caribbean nation, who have become the smallest ever country to qualify for the World Cup.

Advocaat will be oldest-ever manager at the tournament in its 96-year history after the 78-year-old was reinstated following a player revolt, after he initially quit due to family health problems.

And, in a reference to Dutch fourth-tier amateur side USV Hercules sensationally knocking giants Ajax out of their Cup three years ago, Advocaat is convinced they can cause another upset this summer..32 years after he managed in his first World Cup as Netherlands boss.

He said: "When you are the national coach of the Dutch national team, there is enormous pressure.


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"But it will be great fun to participate in the World Cup with Curacao to see if we can spring a surprise.

"We have certain qualities, but if you compare our group of players to those other three squads, we are an amateur club.

"But even an amateur club can beat Ajax, as we have seen.

"You always feel pressure and when you don't have that anymore, you approach it very relaxed. I don't want it to be too relaxed. You always want to do the best you can.

"When we started this, people acted as if I was just going to sit in the sun like an older man over there.

"But from the start, we have projected to the squad that we want to achieve something."

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