ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has revealed he still harbours a grudge against Gordon Greer for a tackle the Scotland defender made on the Pole a year ago. The striker, in the midst of a spectacular run of scoring form for Bayern Munich, was fouled on the edge of the penalty box in the match in Warsaw last October that finished 2-2 and insists he “couldn’t run” afterwards. With the sides set to meet again tomorrow night at Hampden in a crunch Euro 2016 tie, Lewandowski called for the Hungarian referee, Viktor Kassai, to ensure the Polish players are given greater protection this time around.
"I hope the situation on Thursday is not the same as in Warsaw because after that foul by Gordon Greer I couldn't run,” said the former Borussia Dortmund player. "I hope the ref will be more diligent this time. It's no secret I blame the referee for what happened in the last game.
"But we must focus only on football and forget any distractions. Look, the ref was at fault for what happened in Warsaw. Let's just hope this situation won't happen again in Glasgow. If it turns into a battle, fine. I can handle myself in any aerial or physical combat. As long as it within the rules of course. Let's hope we are talking about the game after the match and not about a fight."
Lewandowski was more complimentary about Scotland’s playing style although he believes their possession-based game will offer Poland plenty opportunity to hit them on the counter in a match that Scotland will likely need to win if they are to have any chance of making the play-offs.
"Scotland are a team who likes to play football,” he added. "I think if you compare them to Ireland, Scotland are a side who like to pass the ball, but Ireland are more concerned about getting the ball quickly into the box with a long pass.
"It should actually suit us more that Scotland try to play football because it means we can exploit them on the counter attack. I have a lot of respect for Scotland, as I do all our opponents, but I believe the game will be decided by how we play. If we turn up with negative thoughts about losing then we probably will. Scotland won't lie down, you can be sure of that. We will need to work very hard.
"They have good strikers who play in the English Premier League and have strong defenders. If we allow them to start well, then we'll be in trouble. The onus is on us to play."
Lewandowski also felt his recent club form – including scoring five in nine minutes for Bayern – counted for nothing this week.
"Everyone was coming up to me as I walked into the training base to say well done about my goals. I told them it didn't matter one bit. My goals for Bayern don't count for Poland. It's not about me anyway - this is about getting Poland to the Euros in France.
"I am feeling good physically and mentally. Sometimes in football, everything goes for you and that's what I feel right now. I'm at the optimum age for a striker I believe and I like to think I am experienced enough now in football. But I repeat, my recent form won't help Poland if we lose in Scotland.
"The last thing we want is having to play Ireland on Sunday with a knife to our throats. We've had a good campaign, we're on the final straight now. Now we want to finish the job by winning in Glasgow and qualifying."
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