This afternoon's Group A game should be a blood and guts spectacular. On the basis, one presumes, that footballers are obliged during these tournaments to say something to the press, a couple of Craig Brown's team have declared themselves happy with the fact that there is no longer any room for error if the they are going to make it to the second round.
The Scottish coach is likely to do some tinkering to his team with the emphasis, as he puts it himself, switching to "attack mode".
Unfortunately for Brown his options up front aren't too enticing and so Gordon Durie will probably retain his place alongside the more threatening Kevin Gallacher. Darren Jackson was deployed just behind the front two in the opening game before being replaced by Billy McKinlay. The two men appear to be in a tussle for one place again this time.
Craig Burley will probably be shifted into the centre of midfield from the right wing back position he occupied against Brazil. Clubmate Jackie McNamara is the most likely candidate to replace him on the right side of the defence.
Another Celtic player, Tosh McKinlay, is also rumoured to be in with a chance of replacing Christian Dailly in the centre of the defence but this seems less probable.
Egil Olsen, meanwhile, knows his side must turn in a far better performance than they managed against Morocco if his long spell as Norweigan coach is not to draw to a conclusion under a cloud.
Olsen said yesterday that he was disappointed with the level of criticism he was subjected to in the wake of the opening game, but he has made personnel changes for tonight's game. His situation was hardly helped at the weekend when Henning Berg and Eric Mykland were caught nightclubing until the early hours. Berg was simply too important to him to be left out, but Mykland has been dropped.
Dan Eggen, who scored Norway's second goal against Morocco, remains in the side although he was at the heart of their defensive difficulties. Olsen's admission that his side will stick with the tactics they know best - "you will certainly see some direct football out there" - telegraphed the return from the start of Stale Solbakken, their top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, in midfield while Riseth joins Tore Andre Flo in the attack.
Scotland (Probable): Leighton, McNamara, Calderwood, Hendry, Dailly, Boyd, Burley, Lambert, Collins, Durie, Gallacher.
Norway team to face Scotland: Grodas, Berg, Bjornebye, Eggen, Johnsen, Strand, Rekdal, Solbakken, Flo H, Flo T A, Riseth.
NORWAY: Grodas, Berg, Bjornebye, Eggen, Johnsen, Strand, Rekdal, Solbakken, Flo H, Flo T A, Riseth.
Referee: Laszlo Vagner (Hungary).
Key Player: Craig Burley
Age: 27. CLUB: Celtic.
Caps: 24. GOALS: 0.
Strengths: Having received little credit for his talents over the years at Chelsea, Burley proved what an important influence he can be in midfield this season in Glasgow, receiving the Scottish Player of the Year award for his part in Celtic's championship win. Able to play equally well wide or in the centre of midfield, at full or wing back.
Weaknesses: Given that his front two teeth were lost when, entirely free of any pressure, he kneed himself in the face while rising for a high ball, it shouldn't come entirely as a surprise that things do not always go the he intends. Prone to the odd howler at the back, but more importantly doesn't score nearly as many goals as he should when getting forward.
