COSTA Rica captain Bryan Ruiz last night recalled how Scotland assistant manager Peter Grant had helped him through his turbulent spell in England with Fulham.

But the Sporting Lisbon winger admitted he is keen to get the better of his former coach’s side at Hampden this evening as his country step up their preparations for the Russia 2018 finals in the summer.

Ruiz signed for Fulham from Twente in the Netherlands back in 2011 and spent two and a half seasons playing at Craven Cottage in the Premier League before being loaned out to PSV Eindhoven.

He returned to London to play for the Cottagers for another season in the Championship before moving to Portugal back in 2015.

During that time he worked under Grant, who is now the professional development coach at Fulham, and he remembers the former Celtic midfielder being a huge assistance to him.

“I have a lot of memories from Fulham, from England,” he said. “I had some hard times, some good times. It’s something every player has in his career.

“He (Grant) was a great team-mate. He has so much experience that he can talk about many things, always give you advice. I’m very happy for him.”

Grant was appointed to Alex McLeish’s backroom team along with James McFadden and Stevie Woods after he te Aberdeen great was made national team manager for a second time last month.

However, Ruiz, who will win his 102nd cap when he takes to the field in the friendly international in Glasgow tonight, is keen to help his team record a morale-boosting win over the Scot’s side.

The Central American nation reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil four years ago after beating Italy and Uruguay and drawing with England en route to topping their qualifying group.

Their 32-year-old skipper stressed they are hoping to do every bit as well this time around and would not be taking the game at Hampden lightly.

“We’re looking at this game very seriously,” he said. “Scotland have a very good level, looking at what we’ll face in the World Cup.

“We hope to have a good game and take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the World Cup. There is a real desire among the players to be part of the World Cup.”

Costa Rica have been drawn to face Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia in Group E in the Russia 2018 finals and Ruiz believes taking on Scotland will help them to prepare for those matches.

“To be honest, for us, it’s very important to have this kind of game,” he said. “Scotland has a similar football to Switzerland and even Serbia.

“To have this kind of game with a team with a new coach, new ideas, they have nothing to lose, it’s good for us. We know we’re playing against a very good team with a new idea, as well.”

Ruiz helped Costa Rica finish second in the CONCACAF qualifying group behind only Mexico after winning four, drawing four and losing just two of their qualifying games to make it to the World Cup finals for the fourth time in the last 16 years.

Their success in South America last time around has raised expectations in their homeland and manager Oscar Ramirez is optimistic the number of players they have who ply their trade in Europe will help them to do well both this evening and in Russia in the summer.

Keylor Navas of Real Madrid, Giancarlo Gonzalez of Bologna, Cristian Gamboa of Celtic, Bryan Oviedo of Sunderland, Oscar Duarte of Espanyol, Yeltsin Tejeda of Lausanne-Sport and Celso Borges of Deportivo la Coruna are all in the Costa Rica squad for their double header against Scotland and Tunisia.

“We have to adjust to the weather,” said Ramirez. “But a lot of players in Europe should be used to it. A few who play in Costa Rica might find it harder but they have to adjust quickly.”