IF ISRAEL are in a state of disarray ahead of their visit to Hampden then Ofir Marciano has a spectacular poker face.
Manager Andi Herzog faces two weeks in quarantine upon his return to Tel Aviv on Monday as authorities seek to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus by testing all arrivals from a swathe of European nations, including Austria.
According to the Israeli media, talks are ongoing with a view to judging Herzog as a special case and shortening that precautionary period. Technical director Willi Ruttensteiner is already in isolation in his apartment in the Herzliya area and will not be released until next Wednesday at the earliest.
It has prompted suggestions that Israel’s preparations could be drastically altered ahead of the Euro 2020 playoff against Scotland on March 26.
However, Hibernian goalkeeper Marciano, one of the more unflustered, sedate characters in the SPFL, is not prone to panic. He confirmed that the Israeli governing body are in constant contact with the players and is convinced their preparations will not be adversely affected.
“At the moment, everything is normal and we have no problems,” said the 30-year-old. “Israel have always been in touch with us and the staff are making sure that we are fit and in a good way, in terms of the travel preparation and all those details.
“From the local media I have seen that he is going to be back in Israel and I don’t believe it will affect out build-up to the game.
“There has been an increase in cases [in Israel] and they are trying to minimalise it. Obviously it is not ideal but we will deal with it and I hope it will settle.”
A joint Scottish FA and SPFL task-force this week urged clubs to ‘prepare for contingencies where matches might have to be played behind closed doors, or even be cancelled’.
And addressing suggestions that the encounter could be played behind closed doors if the virus becomes more prevalent in Scotland, Marciano added: “Football is for the fans and, even if the crowd is against us, it is good for the sake of the game to have supporters. That is why we play.”
Israel’s visit to Hampden - providing it does indeed go ahead - will be the next chapter in a burgeoning rivalry with Scotland. ‘It is a nice bond our countries have now,’ laughed Marciano. Evidently, familiarity is yet to breed contempt.
The sides faced each other in the Nations League last year and have been drawn together in the next edition of that competition. However, those fixtures pale into insignificance compared to the game later this month, with the victors going on to face Norway or Serbia for a place at Euro 2020.
While much is made of Scotland’s 22-year exile from major tournament’s, Israel have not qualified for a finals in half a century.
“I think that getting to get to a major finals with my country would be the best thing that could happen in my career,” said Marciano, who has started Israel’s last five games. “It is a massive thing, especially for Israel because we have not qualified in ages.
“It is a great opportunity but we know it will be a hard game and even then it is only the first step.”
Away from talk of Coronavirus and qualifiers, Marciano’s sole focus this afternoon will be on shutting out Aberdeen and ensuring Hibs bounce back from a galling 3-1 defeat against Hearts in midweek.
Success in the Granite City would cut the gap to the Dons to two points and European football would once again seem achievable.
Allied with an upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final, it is easy to see why Marciano is seeking to accentuate the positives despite derby day disappointment.
“The derby is a massive game for us and for our fans - it is about pride and it matters for our club,” he added. “We know how good it feels after you win derbies but the other side of that is you feel really bad when you lose, especially at Easter Road.
“But the good thing about football is that you always have the chance to fix it.
“We are in good form at the moment, we have had a good run and have gathered points. So we want to put the derby out our minds and move forward and try to build the momentum again.
“Hibs can still finish in a good place this season. We can push for 4th, go to Europe, go high in the league, do well in the cup. I've been through a lot in my career and I know that as long as you stay focused and stay humble, that is the key.”
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