DAVE McPHERSON knows what it takes to shut out Italy's superstars - and he's backing Alex McLeish's Scotland to go one better in their make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden tomorrow.
Big Slim lined up for the Scots as they held the Italians to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier at Ibrox almost exactly 15 years ago to the day, a game in which the threat of Roberto Baggio was almost completely snuffed out by an outstanding perform
ance from then-Hearts defender Alan McLaren.
While the result had little bearing on the outcome of their World Cup 1994 qualifying group - from which Italy and Switzerland progressed - McPherson believes they were able to match the Italians because they were properly prepared mentally.
He believes McLeish is the man to make sure his players have the right mental attitude against Roberto Donadoni's side.
But, even if the Scots fail to win their crunch match tomorrow, former Hearts star McPherson feels that fate could still deal them a favourable hand to see them through to Austria and Switzerland.
He said: "It was a massive game for us back then but it is entirely different this time around because Scotland know that if they win this time they will qualify and that would be some achievement.
"We were up against a fantastic side, the Roberto Baggios and all of the other world-class stars, guys who commanded massive money transfers, but we managed to get a result, albeit a draw, and I hope that Alex's boys can go out and get the result that they need tomorrow. I know we are up against it but, if we can keep it tight at the back, try to pass the ball around and make sure that we're not chasing the game early on then I think we could have a real chance.
"Even if they get the draw, I would still have some hope that they can go through. The good thing about it is that they go into the game tomorrow knowing that they really have to win and I think that can work in Scotland's favour. There's no point in going out there thinking that you're going to lose and if you can get it right in your head then that is half the battle.
"We as a nation are always better when we are underdogs, everyone outside of Scotland usually writes us off and that means there's less pressure on the players out on the pitch.
"We're up against the best team in the world right now in my opinion so we really have got nothing to fear."
One thing McPherson feels the Italians should fear is the noise from the Tartan Army when the teams emerge from the tunnel at a packed Hampden. McPherson, pictured below right, believes the Scottish fans' backing could give McLeish's men the edge. "I think sometimes that other countries can maybe underestimate the power of the Tartan Army," he said. "The noise and the energy that they can generate is just second to none and I know what the atmosphere can be like when you are sitting in the stands as a supporter.
"But when you are out there on the pitch and you hear the crowd from all sides it really is unbelievable, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
"I had friends over from Australia recently and they've been to games all over the world and taken in London derbies and Milan derbies but they were just blown away by the atmosphere at Celtic's Champions League game against Benfica.
"Nothing compares to Scottish supporters, I can't quite put my finger on why but they're just so passionate about the game and they don't mind showing it."
Scotland's campaign is on a knife edge but even if they fail to qualify, McPherson insisted they can be proud of their run of results in the competition and the amount of points that they have amassed.
"Even if they don't get a result, this campaign has still been an unbelievable achievement," he continued.
"We've beaten France home and away and recorded some other fantastic results and we're sitting second in the group with a game to go, it's fantastic.
"It's important that we build on that now and make sure that we qualify for the World Cup because Scotland should be involved in all of the major finals, we've been missing from these competitions for too long now."
McPherson would love to be involved this weekend but he has full faith in the youthful defence, including Celtic skipper Stephen McManus and Alan Hutton of Rangers, who will face up to some of the best players in the World at the national stadium.
"We've got an excellent young defence right now", added the former defender.
"They're all good players individually, but they also play well as a team and that's one of the most important things you can have in your locker.
"They've got a huge test ahead of them this weekend but I'm sure they'll all be relishing the thought of it because these are the types of games that you want to be involved in."
