Anders Dreyer only had a brief experience of playing in Scotland but it is likely to prove invaluable in the build-up to Denmark’s crucial FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifier at Hampden Park next Tuesday.
After an impressive unbeaten start, Denmark sit atop Group C in UEFA qualifying on goal difference. They will be looking to secure their return to the global finals with positive results in their final two group fixtures — a home clash with already-eliminated Belarus on Saturday, followed by a potential winner-takes-all match with Scotland three days later.
Denmark have the advantage thanks to their vastly superior goal difference, but they know the raucous and intimidating atmosphere at a sold-out Hampden Park could prove key during one of the most-anticipated games of the November international window.
Dreyer, who scored a brace against Belarus in September, has proven to be one of Denmark’s most effective players in their World Cup qualification run. Having played on loan at St Mirren in 2019, the 27-year-old is now shining bright at Major League Soccer (MLS) club San Diego FC and is ready for everything that the Tartan Army has to offer.
Anders Dreyer: I think in general it’s a good squad and we have very good banter when we are there. We’re just enjoying being with the national team and I think that’s important when you are with the national team for eight, nine days.
Of course, first of all there is a game at home against Belarus which is also important. I think the closer we get to the [Scotland] game, it will get more attention and it’s going to be a nice game. Everything to play for, for both teams. I’ve played at Hampden Park once and the atmosphere was incredible and that’s always fun in football to play in stadiums like that.
It was a short period of four, five months. It was a long time ago but I enjoyed it, living in Glasgow and trying something different compared to the Danish league at that point.
It’s always nice to score for your country. If it’s my best game I don’t know, but it was definitely nice to help the team with two goals.
I played in the EUROs last summer. I didn’t play but it was nice to go and see what it is. I can imagine the World Cup is just bigger than that and hopefully I will make the squad. But it is around half-a-year in the future so a lot of things can happen.
It’s helped me back to the national team. San Diego play a way of football that I love, to have the ball a lot and create a lot of [chances] in the last third.
The weather is a nice part of living in San Diego, that’s for sure. I love it and California in general is a beautiful place.
It’s going to be massive for MLS. People will come over here and see the stadiums and facilities in every city where we play and where there will be games. It’s going to be amazing, that’s for sure.
