PAT Nevin has shifted his position on England’s chance of reaching the World Cup semi-final and not because inadvertently he became the most hated man in Sweden.

The former Scotland international is in Russia as a pundit for BBC Radio Five and his comments at the end of Sweden’s win over Switzerland – he was co-commentator - made headlines which were far from complimentary in the country who on Saturday stand in the way of Gareth Southgate’s men.

“I said after the game, and this was before England played Colombia, that England would beat Sweden 99 times out of 100,” Nevin tells me from his hotel in Moscow. “It was a good line but I have moderated my position since then.

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“I now say that England, and this is after watching them play Colombia, would beat Sweden nine times out of ten and I’m going to stand by that.”

Nevin’s remark might have been close to flippant but certainly hit a raw nerve in Sweden where a people known for their laidback attitude to life did not take well to being written off before their team’s biggest game for a several generations.

“I have pals in Sweden, indie kids of course, who let me know I was I was a figure of hate for a day or two,” revealed Nevin. “They did quote me out of context. What wasn’t said was that I had praised their effort, spirit and how I impressed I was by them as a group.

“But I still say England will win. Not one Swedish player would get in their team. Maybe Mikael Lustig would get a place in the squad and even then I’m not sure. I like Sebastian Larsson, who is their playmaker, but right now he is some way from being a Premier League player.

“Sweden have a very simple style. They play a 4-4-2 and the idea is to get the ball to the two strikers with long passes or by a set-piece. It has worked well, so you can hardly criticise it.

“But I can’t lie. I wasn’t impressed by them at all when they beat Switzerland who were okay but didn’t have a striker. England are not brilliant either but should win on Saturday.”

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Nevin, who played for Scotland at Euro 92, is having the time of his life at what he called one of the best World Cups of all time.

He’s a good pundit, an enthusiastic fan with a microphone, who as one of the few Scots, Ally McCoist is another, might have to be at a tournament England win. Now there is a test for even one of the more even-handed Jocks.

“Swedish people now think I’m England,” says Nevin while laughing. “I am getting a lot of stick out here because I keep telling my English colleagues that I don’t think they will win the World Cup but I hope they do.

“That’s not me being anti-English, it’s my opinion having watched a lot of game live and on television. Remember, this is also the biggest game of the lives of every Sweden player. They will give their all and then some.

“Okay, the might not be the most sophisticated side but they are brilliantly organised, are good enough to be in the quarter-final of a World Cup and will strongly back themselves to win.”

So, who is going to be crowned champions at what so far is the most unpredictable World Cup in living memory?

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“My prediction was for France top beat Croatia in the final, which I am chuffed to say might still happen,” said the former Chelsea man who was criminally ignored by Scotland manager who preferred less skilful players.

“France are improving all the time and I still have them as favourites, although Brazil are there and they also have got better game-by-game. I watched Croatia against Denmark and they were hugely disappointing – but I still see them as the best team in England’s half of the draw.

“It is really open and I am having a blast over here. It is a brilliant World Cup.”

When Nevin returns from his BBC duties, a position with the Russian tourist board could well be his next career choice.

“Everything we were told about Russia was absolutely garbage,” he says. “The organisation has been second to one, the people superb and what a fantastic country.

“I would say to anyone to get themselves over here because Russia is a fascinating place. It has been a real privilege.

“I am at Brazil-Belgium on Friday which could be a classic. It beats working for a living but then that’s been the a theme throughout my life.”