latest news
HLEB WARY OF SCOTTISH IMPROVEMENT
Hleb - won't take Hibs lightly.
Barcelona newcomer Alexander Hleb knows too much about the revival of Scotland's national team to take Thursday night's friendly against Hibernian lightly.
Hleb was victorious on his last visit to Scotland in a 1-0 win for Belarus at Hampden that ended the home side's hopes of reaching the 2006 World Cup.
But the improvement of Scotland under Walter Smith midway through that campaign carried on into the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
France and Ukraine could not repeat the Hampden success of Belarus and only a last-minute goal by Italy defender Christian Panucci ended Scotland's hopes.
And Hleb believes that willingness to fight until the very end makes Scotland a threat.
"Scotland are a very good team who are always fighting until the last minute," he said at Barcelona's St Andrews training camp.
"Every year they are getting better and better. Last year I know Scotland had a very good chance but they were a bit unlucky.
"But I think this year anything is possible."
Hleb could make his first appearance for Barca following his £11.8million switch from Arsenal, but he is hoping there is not too much fighting spirit on show from Hibs at Murrayfield.
The 27-year-old midfielder, whose team also tackle Dundee United on Saturday, said: "These are good games for us. It is very important as well because we have a lot of new players at the club.
"We also need to learn how good our understanding is, and it's important as well that there are no injuries, so I hope they are not so aggressive."
Barcelona could include Spain trio Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who joined the squad yesterday following their Euro 2008 heroics in Austria and Switzerland.
