Scotland's World Cup qualifying opponents dealt sickness bug 'worry' ahead of all-or-nothing Hampden decider
At least two key figures in the Denmark squad have been affected by the illness ahead of the mammoth Glasgow fixture.
As Scotland prepare to face the Danes in their World Cup 2026 qualification decider, the Denmark squad has been hit with a sickness bug at the worst possible time.
After a Saturday night that can only be described as bonkers, the Scots somehow still have a chance of qualifying for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Steve Clarke’s side knew a draw in Greece would be enough to secure a decider against the Danes on Tuesday, however they weren’t able to hold up their end of the bargain, losing 3-2 on the night.
Towards the end of the match in Piraeus, the Tartan Army’s attention turned to Copenhagen, where remarkably, group minnows Belarus came back from a goal down to lead Denmark. A late Gustaf Isaksen strike made it a nail-biting finish, but the Belorussians held on for a draw and kept Scotland’s World Cup dream alive in the process.
The Danes were without some key players for the Belarus fixture, which manager, Brian Riemer has put down to a sickness bug that’s making its way around the camp. As they now prepare to travel to Glasgow, some prominent figures in the Red and Whites starting XI are still affected.
Andersen and Hojlund fall ill before Scotland clash
Fulham defender, Joachim Andersen and Napoli striker, Rasmus Hojlund have both fell victim to the sickness bug. The pair were omitted from the Denmark squad to play Belarus and are doubtful to be back to 100% fitness for the make-or-break Scotland clash.
Regarding the unfortunate timing of the illnesses, Riemer said: “right now we have Joachim Andersen, who is sick, and we have Højlund, who is sick and a staff member who is sick. We are in a situation where the doctor is on it. It is the season for such things. You can’t protect yourself 100% but we are doing everything we can and right now our hope and assessment is that we have put a plug in it and that on Tuesday we have 24 men who are fit for a fight and ready to play.”
The Denmark coach went onto say that the bug could be a problem for the Scotland match, as they aim to qualify for the tournament for the third time on the bounce. The last time they faced the Scots was in the reverse fixture at Parken Stadium in September, which finished a goalless draw.
Sickness bug a ‘worry’ for do-or-die decider
Riemer continued: “is it a worry ahead of Scotland? Yes, if you ask me if I would have wished that there had been no illness, and that there also will not be on Tuesday, then of course that’s the answer. But that’s natural.
“There are many things you don’t know. There are also many things we don’t know about Scotland. It’s the season for such things, and therefore we just have to take it as it comes. There is also a difference between having a little [illness] and being able to play well and lying in bed.
“There are many factors here and right now we are assuming that our assessment is that we are ready for Tuesday with all men. But I can’t tell you what the situation is right now. We are looking at it continuously.”