Vladimir Smicer has conceded that Scotland's Group I opponents Czech Republic will probably be battling it out with Craig Levein's side for the runners-up spot behind Spain. The European champions are clear favourites to win through to Euro 2012 after being picked out with the pair, as well as Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Smicer, who became the Czech's general manager after retiring from playing in 2009 after a spell with Slavia Prague, told STV Sport in the aftermath of Sunday's draw that he was happy at the reduced number of fixtures a five team group will bring but says that it wouldn't be realistic for his team, who are going through a transitional period, to set their sights on automatic qualification.
“I am very happy that there is only five teams in the group,” said the former Liverpool midfielder. “Winning the group will be very tough. If Spain keep playing like they are at the moment, it will be tough work for any team to beat them. Who knows, we'll see. If our team is playing well, anything is possible.”
In a strange twist of fate, both Scotland and the Czech Republic are already pencilled in to face each other in a friendly at Hampden on March 3. Both camps moved quickly to confirm that the fixture wasn't in any doubt despite the draw pairing them together and Smicer says he feels there will be plenty time for both teams to make improvements in the time between that fixture and the start of the qualifying campaign in September.
“It is a very strange situation being drawn against each other when we are playing a friendly next month,” Smicer admitted. “But I don't see it being a problem. I think after the game there is still a long time until the qualification starts so I think it is more exciting because we are in the same group.
Vladi has previous experience against Scotland and scored their decisive goal in a 2-1 win at Celtic Park in 1999 during the qualifiers for Euro 2000, in turn inflicting a first home defeat on Craig Brown's side in 12 years.
Times have changed since then with both sides almost completely unrecognisable from that game – with David Weir the only of the 13 players used still involved on the international scene. Smicer though hopes that result, together with the Czech's comeback 3-2 in Prague later in the campaign, can inspire his team to get the necessary points in Glasgow and back at home to pip Scotland to the play-off post.
“I scored a goal and we won 2-1 and we made a big step in qualifying for Euro 2000,” he recalled. “It was a big game for us and hopefully the present team will do the same.”
