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Barry Bannan confident three-weak break won’t derail Scots

Barry Bannan
Barry Bannan

Midfielder Barry Bannan is confident the three-week break from football will not derail Scotland’s European championship qualifying campaign.

The Scots are level with Germany and one point behind leaders Poland in Group D at the halfway stage of the qualifiers.

Gordon Strachan’s side will return to action on June 13 when it makes the trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland.

The domestic season ends on May 24, leaving the Scots with three weeks of no competitive football before the crucial game against Martin O’Neil’s side.

Crystal Palace player Bannan, who is on loan at Championship side Bolton Wanderers, insists the break will not be an issue.

He said: “A few years ago we had three weeks off before we faced Croatia in June and we managed to pull off a win in that game.

“The players are professional and know what to do, whether it is work in the gym or working with the fitness trainers.

“I’m sure everyone will be 100% ready to go and fit for that match.”

Bannan believes hitting the beach for a week may be the best way to prepare for the Celtic fixture in the summer.

He added: “We could do that – maybe a few players will take a short holiday.

“It won’t be too long after the Ireland game that some of the squad will be in for pre-season.

“So yes players can take a break and then come back again and hit the ground running for Ireland.”

Having helped attacker Steven Fletcher end his six-year international drought with a hat-trick against Gibraltar on Sunday after coming on as a substitute in place of Watford midfielder Ikechi Anya, Bannan believes the Sunderland man will be key to Scottish hopes against the Irish, who drew 1-1 with Poland on Sunday.

He said: “It didn’t matter about their result against Poland – it was still going to be a massive game.

“But Fletch has a hat-trick and will be confident. He’s been brilliant since he came back – his link-up has been terrific and it’s only been the goals which haven’t come. But a hat-trick delighted everyone. We were all so happy for him and it will be a confidence boost for him.

“He took the last goal really well. A lot of people would have hit it hard. Instead he saw the corner and just placed the ball there

“We know if we perform against Ireland then we have enough to beat them.”

Bannan knows, despite the scoreline, the 6-1 win against Gibraltar on Sunday was a tougher test than many anticipated.

Despite huffing and puffing for long spells, the finishing was impressive and Bannan was pleased to come through the tie unscathed.

He said: “It’s so awkward to play those games. Normally we’re the ones on the back foot and having to counter-attack. Gibraltar tried to frustrate.

“It’s tough as they had so many men behind the ball and they were set up properly to defend.

“It took us a while to get used to the system, but once we did we looked good.”