'We owe it...': Scotland given Greece warning as boss lays down gauntlet amid praise for ex-Hibs favourite

Jovanovic’s side head into their penultimate qualifying game against Scotland in Piraeus with little more than pride to play for. A failure to win any of their last three Group C games, having already ended their hopes of securing a place at next summer’s tournament, they welcome Scotland on Saturday evening, hoping to soothe the pain of their disappointing qualification campaign.

Last month’s damaging 3-1 defeat against Scotland dealt a hammer blow to Jovanovic’s side, who had led going into the closing stages in Mount Florida, only to concede three goals in the final half-hour of the game. Their 3-1 defeat to Denmark in the days that followed ended any hopes they had of qualifying.

Meanwhile, level on 10 points with Denmark at the top of the group, Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad requires at least a draw to set up a winner takes all clash with the Danes at Hampden Park on Tuesday. They have already secured at least a playoff spot with victories over Greece and Belarus at Hampden Park last month.

“The development of the qualifiers was very bad for us,” said Jovanovic. “With the defeats that took us out early from contending for qualification. A fairly difficult period. It was hard to accept it, because as a team we had the ability, the quality, and the capability to qualify.

“We have high-level matches ahead, yes they don't have points value, but every national team match is different. Since we have talent, we are a team with prospects, we have a group of players who live for the national team, we must continue to play well. The players represent Greece in the best possible way. We owe it to ourselves to try to return to good matches and wins.”

Jovanovic also discussed the introduction of several young stars to his squad, with the Serbian boss set to hand former Hibs midfielder Nectar Triantis and Brighton teenager Charalampos Kostoulas their international debuts, the latter having switched his allegiance from Australia earlier this year.

Nicknamed the ‘Aussie Rodri’ during an 18-month loan spell at Hibs, the young midfielder was awarded the Young Player of the Year award at Easter Road last season, and Hibs boss David Gray was keen to bring Triantis to the club on a permanent deal, but lost out to MLS outfit Minnesota United, who sealed the signing just days before the transfer deadline closed.

“Triantis, both last year [at Hibs] and this year in the MLS, plays good games and plays in an important position for us. It's an opportunity, a kid who will now get to know Greece, to see him in the colours of the national team. We always try to open up the national team's roster with some kids who show they are in good competitive form. Kostoulas showed good elements last year in the Greek league, but in the March and June periods we didn't have him due to injury. We want to see him now in the national team too.”

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