03/09/2016 Football Focus

The qualifiers for the next World Cup are about to begin,

so there's plenty to get tucked into this Saturday lunchtime.

Can Scotland break their qualification hoodoo?

It's been a tough summer watching everyone else for Strachan Co.

Not getting a taxi, getting a bus, getting Eurostar on your own,

getting selfies with every Welsh find you can possibly get a smiling

and joking! Wales and Northern Ireland

will be looking to build I think I can make the team better

and I think I'm tough in -- enough to take it. So bring it on, lads!

We have the inside story from the goalscoring hero Eder.

I told him, I'm going to score the goal.

We'll also be taking stock on the comings and goings

of the transfer window - all in the company of our big

money signings Trevor Sinclair and John Hartson.

Fear not, John - we'll talk Wales very soon.

Scotland, and their desire to qualify for Russia 2018,

which would be their first major tournament in two decades.

There are nine European groups and the winners of each will go

through automatically, with the eight best

then going into two-legged play-offs to decide the final four places.

The Scots start against Malta tomorrow.

England and Slovakia are ranked above Scotland in the latest Fifa

rankings, with Slovenia just below, so Group F looks a tough one.

The Scots start away against Malta tomorrow night, and Rob MacLean has

When I come back and meet these guys, you get inspires. When we come

back to training, I thought, yes, I love football, I love watching good

professionals, good lads. It's been an inspiring week for me. When you

look at Scotland's World Cup qualifying group, what do you think?

Well, we think we've got hard games. Slovenia and Slovakia will be back,

similar to Poland and the republic in the last campaign. And then

you've got England, Germany... And we're looking to improve on each

performance. People will ask you, and I'm sure it will be the next

question, so let's get it out of the way, when the big game is coming...

You never know when the big game is coming to rush you look back at the

last campaign, Georgia away, that was a big aim. You never know when

it is the real big name. Some people will look at it and say, England are

winning it, so it is all about the battle for second. How do you seek

it? If you ask anybody in the football world, they would say that

is correct. If the -- that is the way it's got to be done, then so be

it. I do believe we have got seven good young players coming into the

squad. Not just because they are young, because they have proved

themselves to the staff, being good about the place. They have given us

all a wee lift after the disappointment of not qualifying,

that has given us a lift. When you named Oliver Burke in the squad, he

was a youngster from Nottingham Forest. He is now the ?13 million

man? When I named Oliver, everybody in Scotland was scratching their

head - who is this, we have got better players up here in Scotland?

Why is this young man coming along? He's proved that he is a bit

different. His quiet of the pitch, he's not got the headphones on all

the time, he's not got a ridiculous hairstyle to say, look, I'm

different. He goes on the pitch and becomes different. That's a sign of

a good player. So, what needs to change in this qualification group.

And to make it? We just need maybe two more goals that we add to our

attack, +2 but you take away from defending. We take two away. That

would see us in a right good position. It's that close. So the

margin is so small between the pain of 2016 or...? Going along on your

own, getting a taxi, getting a bus, on Eurostar, to go and watch it,

getting selfies with every Welsh fan you can possibly meet, smiling and

joking. Do you feel good about Scotland's chances of qualifying?

Aye. I felt good and then I came and watched the training - feel even

better. It's great that he is so excited about the new campaign. They

will think they can emulate Wales and Northern Ireland? Yes. They have

got a decent group of players. In Oliver Burke they might have found

someone who can be the difference in tight games, like a Gareth Bale, who

has been so influential to us. But they have got a tight group. Think

of Malta away, first game, they only lost 1-0 to Italy in the euro

qualifiers - really difficult team to beat. Get a lot of players behind

the ball, hard to break down. So it is a tough group. There is also a

bit of pressure because they were in prime position to go to the Euros.

They got the point over in Dublin, and then the loss against Georgia

was a real hammer blow. And then the Republic go and beat the world

champions, Germany. So they never qualified, they finish fourth. So

they need to do better in these once. Sometimes it can be that one

game which makes you slip up just in this time there will be a lot of

attention on that England game, that Friday night in November at Wembley.

Gordon Strachan is already being asked about it now, and that will be

the focus for much of the campaign? It is but I think they need to

concentrate on the other games as well, obviously. For the England

game, they will be thinking we do not have to be that fearful of them.

You look at the last corner they were not 1 million miles away. There

was so much positivity around Gordon Strachan and what he did with the

squad and what a good position they were in. And they just fell short of

if they can just get over the line, I think it will be a massive boost

for football in Scotland. Oliver Burke, 19 years old, 6ft to, he's

played a handful of appearances for his club and two international caps,

and he has gone for all of those millions to Leipzig! Yes, it is a

bizarre one. I have seen an article from a few people about bad move,

and it does seem a bit odd to go out there. There were clubs interested

in England. But I hope he plays a lot of football out there. It will

be a great experience for him, and I hope he can take that into the

Scotland national team. Yes, really good player. Burst onto the scene

last season. As I say, I think Scotland are OK as a group, I don't

think they've got any real world-class players in there, but

maybe they have found something in Burke, who looks a real talent.

England are the top ranked team in Group F and here

It's a little more than two months since Roy Hogdson's

side were knocked out of the Euro's by Iceland,

a performance Alan Shearer described as the worst he'd ever seen.

Frontex it's been a fantastic journey and it is one I will

remember with pride. Now it is time for somebody else to take over this

young and talented group of players. I do not want to spend too much time

on the past. I want to think more about the future. I think I fit the

chair, I think I've got the experience to pass on. I think I can

make the team better and I think I'm tough enough to take it. Bring it

on, lads. A World Cup qualifier against Slovakia... The tactics will

be different against a team like Slovakia which will have to come out

and attack us to win the game, playing at home. Whereas in the

Euros, one point was enough for them, and they made a really solid

defensive unit which was difficult to break down in the end. It's just

no fracking a little bit. I did not expect this so quick, so early in my

Premier League career. I have just got to keep going out and working

hard and showing people why he has kicked me. I've had a fantastic

international career so far, played a lot of games and enjoyed every

minute. Russia will be my last tournament, and if selected, then I

will have enjoyed some highs and Sam Lowes.

And in a bit of a change to the norm,

Sam Allardyce told the players the starting XI after training

Eight of these started against Iceland at the Euros.

Central defender John Stones comes into the side, having not

What do you think about naming the team so early? I think it's

refreshing. It is a great way for you to prepare when you know that

you're definitely playing. All of the nerves and anxiety disappears.

Even if you're not playing, those 48 hours, for the players not involved,

he can tell them, you're still part of my plans. Stay alert, be ready,

you will be in another time. And it's refreshing for the media as

well. We've got something to talk about. The opposition might be

guessing what formation it is, but you never know for certain. John,

Wayne Rooney has announced his international retirement at the end

of the next campaign - how do you see that? He still obviously feels

fit and that he will be part of the group. He's made the decision to

make the call. But I think the one thing, going back to Sam Allardyce,

it'll be a different approach, a different style. Can he make a good

job of it? I think he can he's made a difference already. How many

managers would have come in straightaway and played Henderson

instead of Dele Alli? Not many, in my opinion. Dele Alli was

magnificent last season, Henderson was out for a long time. He's gone

with Kane, who has never scored a goal in August. Vardy has already

scored - Sharpe, amongst the goals already. He's gone with Kane. Trevor

will say, well, if you play three in behind Harry Kane, you need a big

focal point. I think Celtic do that with Leigh Griffiths, who is 5ft

7ins. So he makes big calls, big decisions, he will be his own man,

and he's passionate. You're even doing the fist pump, John! You want

a bit of that as well, that's what some will do. I just feel that he's

into the sports science, stats, everything else, and he deserves the

job. For me, he will make decisions. And one of those, leaving out Ross

Barkley. And also Jack Wilshere, saying he needed more game time.

He was one of the big movers on transfer deadline day.

Who is going to be moving where on transfer deadline day...? Joe Hart

has left Manchester City... 13 Premier League sides have broken

their transfer fee... They have matched Everton's feet... We are

very excited to welcome Jack Wilshere to the football club. That

is magnificent! That much money that clubs are now able to go and break

their record. Chelsea have reached agreement with Paris Saint-Germain

for David Luiz. It's a gamble... A transfer deadline day clear out at

Manchester City... Joe Hart has been frozen out of the club by Pep

Guardiola... To hundred million pounds in the Premier League.

Absolutely phenomenal. Sissoko has signed a five year deal at White

Hart Lane. Smashed it, amazing, ?1.1 billion!

A frankly ridiculous amount of money.

That was the transfer window closing on Wednesday night.

Quite a bit of business done early in the window -

here are some of the main ones from the window.

Just to talk about some of those moves - David Luiz going back to

Chelsea, two years after going to Paris, is it desperate or is it a

good move? He would not have been a first choice defender, would he? No.

But looking at the manager, he likes to play three at the back. I feel

David Luiz could play in the back three or just in front of the back

three. Nice and narrow, and a lot of discussion and verbals from John

Terry. Because I think he needs keeping in position, because he can

go wandering. He's got a lot of creativity, fantastic touch for a

central defender, but at times he needs the verbals from John Terry,

who will say, stay here, we need you. For me, he must have been

brought in as a midfield player, because he's Impey cannot defend.

That's a bit harsh! He can't defend. He will cost Chelsea in terms of

points taken, taking risks, taking chances. There is no doubt about his

ability, he's a very gifted player. And he has to play for me in

midfield. Kante has to play the holding role in front of the back

line. Because he does it so well. ?34 million, for a midfield player,

they have got another six or seven in that similar position, it's a

little bit desperate for me. I'm not sure John approves of that signing!

What about Jack Wilshere? I think he's gone to the right club, I think

Eddie Howe is one of those ex-players, a manager now, who is in

touch with players of today. One of the fittest squads in the Premier

League last season. If they can get Jack Wilshire fit and get him into

the final third of the pitch, get him created, he will be a massive

asset for Bournemouth and invariably go back to Arsenal and be an asset

to them as well. It does not matter where he goes, whether it is Roma or

anywhere else committee has to play first of all, he has to play games,

I want to see him bossing games, getting around the pitch and playing

20, 25 games. He has to play games. He has an doubtful ability. Thank

you. For the minute. -- he has an doubtful ability.

The Wales striker Hal Robson Kanu joined West Brom on Wednesday

and his goals in the Euro's are one of the reasons Wales are up to 11th

in the World Rankings, two places below Brazil...

After performing so well in their first major tournament

in more than half a century - this is who they face

Austria, Serbia and the Republic of Ireland all in Group D.

But not much worries the Welsh these days...

FUNKY MUSIC It's been great being back with the

lads. It is weird, it feels a lifetime ago, the Euros. Ramsey and

Wales with the lead, they are in dreamland! It is another Welsh

winner! On they go to the quarterfinals. It's great memories,

something that will stay with us forever. Ashley Williams for Wales!

What a turn, what a goal! Something special is happening here tonight!

Wales are going into the semifinals. History boys indeed! To go through

those highs, obviously there will be some sort of come down. Whipped

across, Ronaldo has met it. For Wales, this is only the end of one

story. The country's greatest yet with a round ball. Tough at the time

but in hindsight we look back at what we've achieved and are proud of

it. Not the greatest few weeks after, it was a case of trying to

get away and watch the good stuff in the tournament and before you know

it you are back at your club, going back in the group as top seeds, it

changes your mentality. It is about as dealing with that and dealing

with that sort of pressure. There's been little talk of what has gone on

in the summer. It's all focus ahead now. You can feel the excitement. At

the start of another long journey! Wales start at home to Moldova -

and in fact have three home games I think Big John has got emotional

after that! Listening to Chris speaking about the highs to the

lows, there's no anti-climax on Monday night at the Cardiff stadium,

they will get an unbelievable welcome onto that pitch when they

take on Moldova. I think it is a really difficult group. The

expectation levels will obviously rise, having got to the semifinals.

They were magnificent in the Euros. I had to say that. Austria, Serbia,

the Republic of Ireland, Martin O'Neill's teams, having spent four

years with him at Celtic, Moldova, Georgia, they will be Scotland in

the European qualifiers in the Euros, it's a difficult group that

they will be excited by it. It's one that Chris Common will be looking

forward to, I think. That is the crucial thing. -- Chris Coleman.

Chris Coleman has signed a new two year contract.

Yesterday without Aaron Ramsey. If they can go again, why can't they

reach the World Cup? It would be an incredible achievement, they have it

mentally. They have belief and mentality, the belief in the system

that they have in the manager and everything. I hope that the fans

realise the teams will be going there now. They are a scalp, they

would be going into happily to beat them all the time.

They will say, you are the team now. I hope they have the adaptability to

do that. And get the results they need. John, you gave us a fist pump

for England, do you have one for Wales? It was Sam Allardyce more!

But where is the Welsh one? It's difficult, Robson-Kanu left it late

in the transfer window and moved to West Brom. Some folks has banged

them into Burnley, no Aaron Ramsey. -- some folks. There are some issues

but nothing that we can deal with, when we lost Davis and Ramsey in

that important semifinal. The Republic of Ireland are in this

group, they start against Serbia away. Robbie Keane retired from

international football after scoring against an midweek. -- Oman.

Just the 146 caps and 68 goals to reflect on!

More on that Wales game in a Football Focus forum on Monday

online for you and you can listen to commentary of that

Moldova match on 5 Live on Monday evening at 7.45pm

There's also full commentary on five live of Slovakia

And don't forget that we now start building up to the Premier League

weekend on a Thursday night - Gabby Logan will be on BBC Two at

No Premier League or championship this weekend which coincides

A great opportunity to support your local side and not spend ?14

ASC filed? Taking on Gloucester? Yes! -- AFC Fylde.

Next Tuesday the European Champions Portugal start their World Cup

qualifying campaign against Switzerland.

They'll be without the injured Christiano Ronaldo, so might need

From being unwanted at Swansea, to scoring the goal

Eder... Wriggles free... A shot! Super strike. Eder smashes Portugal

at the verge of glory. He the man who has won the European

Championship for Portugal. I went to Portugal at three years old with my

mum. My father could not take care of me. So they put me in a college,

an orphanage. So I learned all of the culture, the Portuguese culture.

It was a great journey for me. It brought me to the man I am today. In

the street, with my friends, one of my professors in the school saw me

play and asked me to test for a club. Then, I started to play

football. I remember Ronaldo, Ronald Ennio, Chris John Ronaldo, he went

to Manchester. -- Cristiano Ronaldo. They were my inspirations, fantastic

players. They did so many tricks and scored a lot of goals. They were the

best players in the world. I dream to lot about going to the Premier

League when I was a kid. For me, it was fantastic. I was working hard at

Swansea, and I enjoyed my time there. Even though not playing a

lot. I spoke with my manager, we talked about opportunities and of

course I told him that I wanted to be in the Euros. Then, I had an

offer and decided this was the best move to do. I want to come back, of

course. I learned a lot from my first experience and of course if I

come back, everything is going to be different. The 15th European

Championship final... The Euros were very special for me, to be in the

squad, of course I wanted to do my best for the team. We knew it was

important for the players who were not playing to be with the group

because we needed a strong group to win the tournament like that.

Cristiano Ronaldo! He's a team-mate, a guy who works a lot, you can learn

a lot with him. He wants to win everything. Break a lot of records.

The manager is a man with a lot of faith, he said we would win the

tournament, we did everything -- he did everything he could to help us

on the pitch, outside of the pitch, he is like a father to us. Eder to

come on. Everyone wants to play. When the manager called me, I told

him that I would score the goal! Eder! What a goal, what a strike,

Portugal celebrate! Adriane story, well told by the man

himself. Let's talk about Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's progress to the last 16 at the Euro's has

seen them reach their highest ever position in the world

The World Cup qualifying draw has not been particularly kind.

Group C includes the holders Germany and the Czech Republic.

Manager Michael O'Neill has been speaking to Stephen Watson.

Have you worked out how you can do this all again after what was a

momentous summer? That's it from McCauley! 2-0 now! Northern Ireland

progress from Group C. This is a little piece of Northern Ireland

football history. When you have experienced that, experiencing being

in the major finals, it whets your appetite. I look back at Euro 2016

qualifications, coming from behind against Hungary and winning that

game got the ball rolling and got momentum and belief and confidence

in the squad. We would be able to do the same again and hopefully try to

get a summer resort in the Czech Republic. Germany lead! Since 1950,

Germany have won the World Cup qualifier every time bar twice, they

are world champions, there is only one automatic will find squad so it

will be difficult. There is a play-off spot for second place. I

was else, Norway and the Czech Republic will battle for that. But

we want to make sure that we can top the group but Germany will be

difficult, they will be difficult for all of the teams in the group as

well. We need a positive start to the campaign, get momentum and

qualification as early as we can and see where it takes us. It will be a

big, big challenge but I think the squad is in the best place it can be

to meet the challenge. The Czech Republic and Germany away

in their first three games - a tough start for

Michael O'Neill's side. It will be, but they can take great

confidence from winning the qualification group at the Euros,

they got last 16. They had a great win against the Ukraine at the

Euros, getting through on three points. They played very well

against Wales in the last 16. Chris Coleman said himself, Wales, Gareth

Gareth Bale with a great ball across the box. But under Michael O'Neill,

it's been tough but they have improved massively as a team.

McCauley stays on and it can be one result that helps you. When they

beat Hungary in the last campaign, that drive them on? SME have to keep

that belief amongst the players and the whole group, they have momentum

and I'm sure they can do well again -- they had to keep that belief.

We're on the iPlayer from midnight, and we're back at midday next week

and we're on the road - live at West Ham's new home -

In a week when Robbie Keane and Bastian Schweinsteiger left

When is the right time to say goodbye?

Kenny Dalglish, what a goal! Here is Gascoigne... Brilliant! Yes!

Shearer! # Everybody raise a glass, here's to