BINNING BAZ COULD END YOUR DREAM; Berg: Scotland are much weaker without him.

Byline: NEIL CAMERON 

HENNING BERG felt like raising a glass to Barry Ferguson when he heard the booze had sunk his Scotland career.

Berg has quit international football but as a proud Norwegian, he's delighted his former Rangers team-mate won't be lining up against his country when the teams meet in August.

The pair's paths crossed briefly at the start of the 2003-04 season when ex-defender Berg spent a year at Ibrox.

Ferguson was soon off to Blackburn just a few weeks into the campaign. But in that short spell the veteran, who won every domestic medal with Manchester United, couldn't help but be impressed by the young skipper.

Shameful

Now back living in Norway making a living from television work, he couldn't believe it when he heard of Ferguson's folly with vodka Red Bulls and his shameful Hampden gestures.

Record Sport bumped into Berg in Oslo as he watched his national squad being put through their paces by coach Egil Olsen and it was clear he felt a team such as Scotland could not cut it without such an experienced and important player.

Berg said: "I was really surprised about that story surrounding Barry. I couldn't believe when I heard what had happened.

"So is his retirement final then? Yes. Well, that's good news for Norway because without Barry the Scotland team is weakened. I thought they might give him another chance because of what he could bring to the team.

"Maybe the line the manager took regarding the players can set a good attitude with the rest of the players in that they now know what is expected of them.

"I don't know exactly what happened but all I do know is that Barry is a top-class footballer.

"I didn't get the chance to play with him for long but he was a superb passer of the ball and a good leader. He's an even more experienced player now so it is better for Norway if he doesn't get back into the Scotland team."

Every side in Group Nine is playing for second place except Holland. That, though, was always going to be the case.

Norway would give themselves a chance if they can do well in their double-header against Macedonia and the Dutch.

But it is increasingly looking like the winner of the Oslo showdown on August 12 would be favourites to clinch the runners-up spot. However, according to this veteran of two World Cups, that might still not guarantee a play-off place.

Berg said: "I believe we will be in with a great chance of going ahead of Scotland when we play them in August. That might be a decider or Norway may have nothing to play for.

"My fear is that second place in this group might not be enough.

"Someone has got to miss out from the nine European groups and I just have a feeling it might be whoever finishes behind Holland.

"I think any team would have to, more or less, win the rest of their games to secure a play-off place.

"The two teams are quite evenly matched. Norway's problem has been inconsistency and we hope that changes under Olsen.

"We now need to play to our strengths and if we can do that, we can reach a better standard. That would make it more difficult for Scotland when we play you.

"But I know what the Scottish mentality is like. They not only have good players in a balanced team but also never give up. I have always admired that.

"A big thing for Norway is if we can get the best out of John Carew and John Arne Riise. They have the extra quality that can decide games."

The big difference for Norway has been the return of Olsen, a man who Berg holds in the highest regard.

He said: "The coach has got us to twoWorld Cups and his record at home is fantastic. We hardly lost a game under him. In fact, he revolutionised Norwegian soccer.

"Under Olsen, they are not going to try to be Brazil. Whatever they do is done at 100 per cent. That seems to work for us.

Direct

"The Scottish team is good but Norway are getting better. We don't have as many players who are at clubs outwith their own country but there are still big players in all areas in the team.

"When Egil startedout as manager, most other national teams wanted to play possession foot- ball. But he saw that we needed to play differently.

"He wanted us to be more direct because he saw that as the way to take us to a much higher level. With Egil we'll always have a chance."

CAPTION(S):

YOU NEED A BAZ ABOUT THE PLACE: Berg, far left, reckons old Gers team-mate Ferguson will be missed