We are going to be playing against a country who have their sights on getting at least a play off position for the world cup, which for us if we are going to have any hope we have to continue. So it'll be a game where both sides will be well up for it, and I think it'll be an excellent match.

I spoke to Jackie last week. If you look at the possibility of him coming away to play two international games then it is better for him and the type of injury he's had that he's allowed to finish the season, get the summer over with and get a good pre-season.

I started out in Scotland, not as a footballer of any note, and I didn't play to draw the attention of people abroad.

Their country doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like a great hockey nation. But they did play a mistake-free game.

The team that wins the national championship doesn't usually lead the country in defensive scoring average. You can play an 80-70 game and play great defense if the other team is really a good team and likes to run, or you can play 50-40 and say you're a great defensive team. That never bothered me. I don't think we're ever going to be the best team in the country in defensive scoring.

We want to show that we can play with anyone in the east and in the country. We're taking it one step at a time so that we can build the program.