Polite and complimentary, but Macedonian coach has the will to win

Tuesday 11 September 2012

CEDOMIR JANEVSKI is a national coach who is still making first impressions.

Cedomir Janevski said all the right things when he spoke in Glasgow yesterday. Picture: SNS

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Chris Tait

Sat inside his team's hotel yesterday, the Macedonia manager seemed more likely to tip the concierge and make sure he is down early for his check-out time than get caught trying to nick the towels from his room. The diplomatic manner in which he felt his way through a press conference ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier with Scotland understandable for someone whose eyes are still adjusting to the bright spotlight of international football.

It has yet to expose much about his capacity to succeed in his post. The match at Hampden will mark the start of just his fourth week in charge but Janevski would appear willing to settle for three points and a pat on the back from his employers to help celebrate the modest landmark. His readiness has already been tested; Janovski was required to settle quickly into the job after replacing John Toshack – the Welshman was sacked after failing to adhere to contractual obligations – and he will have been made aware that respectability is the minimum goal for a side that has yet to make it to a finals since becoming independent amid the break up of Yugoslavia.His preamble ahead of the second Group A tie was certainly respectful if far from illuminating, the closest he came to contention coming when the Macedonian proffered that some national teams seek out easier games in order to ensure a higher placing in the FIFA rankings. He then offered a quiet rebuke of his side's place in 97th: "In the [1-0 defeat by Croatia on Friday] I didn't see the difference between the teams."The performance of his side in that match will allow him to feel assured about taking on Craig Levein's team and he is aware his satisfaction is mirrored in his opponents. Scotland supporters view this match from under a shroud of disappointment following a goalless draw with Serbia four days ago and the 51-year-old was deliberately more upbeat yesterday. If it doesn't work out with his national team then he could presumably always get a gig as Levein's publicist."Playing against Scotland is not an easy game for anybody . . . they are very compact and have lots of characters," said Janevski. "They try to change the way they play from the British [style]; they wait for the time and have very good counter-attacks. Also, they are dangerous with the dead balls. It will be tough. They have the potential to beat everyone at home; they are losing at home in the past only against the big teams."Trying to convince a somewhat sceptical audience to expect Scotland take command against his side tonight seemed a bold undertaking given the recent dissent from within the Tartan Army and there was a temptation to treat Janevski's politic musings with cynicism. That only grew when you considered that he is no mug.His slender frame belies a reputation for being a stern defender who earned seven caps during his playing career, two of which were for Yugoslavia, and a celebrated spell with Belgian side Club Brugge in the 80s and 90s helps colour the image of capable competitor.Yet it is his time as a coach which offers the greatest intrigue. Having taken the position of coach of Macedonia's under-21 side at the age of 36, Janovski has since refined his skills in roles as diverse as youth-team coach and assistant manager, in environments as far removed from each other as Belgium and Cyprus, where he managed Mark Burchill at Enosis Neon.The sense, then, is of a coach eager to define his trade from a variety of circumstances and without fear of expectations. "Belgium have made a lot of progress and are a young team with experience," he said as he considered the teams in Group A. "Second is Croatia, who played very well in [Euro 2012] and Serbia are changing now. They are wanting to give the chance to young players and I believe the Scottish are doing that also. Nobody talks about Macedonia and Wales but I think these teams can also make progress."

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Polite and complimentary, but Macedonian coach has the will to win

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