SCOTLAND will try to spoil the party for an invasion of Belgian fans tonight as one of the biggest visiting supports in years descends on Hampden.
Around 7000 supporters will be behind the Red Devils as they stand on the brink of reaching the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. If they beat Scotland and Croatia lose to Serbia, Belgium will be through to the 2014 finals in Brazil.
The challenge is daunting for Scotland but after the joy of winning in Croatia, and the generally encouraging display in the 3-2 defeat in England, manager Gordon Strachan is desperate to put on a powerful performance in the first home game for nearly six months.
At least 37,000 Scotland fans are expected tonight. "That's the expectation now, that we have to do more and especially at home," said Strachan. "You don't want to disappoint. For everybody turning up: give them something. You have to give them something to hang on to. But, again, we are playing a top side.
"I don't see that it's all doom and gloom if we don't get a result or performance and I don't think we should get on a real high if we get a good result. We know that Belgium are capable of beating us if we are not at our best but we also know that we can beat Belgium."
When asked who he most admired in the Belgian team, he said: "I like them all. Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas, Mousa Dembele. It's a tremendous, once-in-a-lifetime group of players that have come together. They're big boys but I don't think they kick you or shove you about. I just think physically, when it comes to body contact in the middle of the park, shoulder to shouder, they are big boys. You can't play them at their own game. You have to find something that suits you. So we'll try to develop that.
"Spain against Belgium would be a good game right now. Spain have their own philosophy and Belgium have theirs but it would be good to watch. I'm sure they will be thinking they can do very well at the World Cup. They have 18 terrific players."
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