Alex Gogic says Cyprus ‘won’t make it easy’ for Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifier

Cyprus defender Alex Gogic expects to get a lift from the Tartan Army as he warned Scotland that his side will make life difficult in Larnaca.

Scotland were handed 3,750 tickets for Friday’s game at the 8,000-capacity AEK Arena but more Scots have managed to buy tickets for the home end.

With Scotland top of Group A and going for Euro 2024 qualification, the travelling fans are sure to be in good voice from the start – but that does not faze Gogic.

The St Mirren player said: “It’s always an honour to play for your country and there will be lots of fans there so it will be a good game. I am excited to play.

“I expect a lot of Tartan Army. For me personally, I love playing in front of a good atmosphere, it doesn’t matter if it’s away fans or home fans. When there’s a good atmosphere it lifts you a bit more.

“I always want to do well but when there’s more fans it livens it up.”

Cyprus have yet to win a point after three games, while Scotland have secured the maximum tally of 12 so far.

However, Gogic said: “We won’t make it easy for them.

“Scotland have momentum and are in good form and have that family spirit and unity but we won’t make it easy. We want to get our first points.

“The stadium suits us better. It’s a bit tighter, smaller than Hampden, so it probably helps us. The heat could play a part too.”

Cyprus conceded two late goals in a 3-0 Hampden defeat in March and saw Georgia score an 84th-minute winner in Nicosia.

Former Hamilton and Hibernian player Gogic said: “That was a bit of a nightmare.

“We had a couple of chances to score before that and hit the post twice and I think we should have won the game. But football is football – if you don’t take your chances and concede late goals you will lose the game.”