Van not the man to face Scots

Scotland may not face the powerful threat of Ruud van Nistelrooy when they take on Holland in their Euro 2004 play-off. The Manchester United striker is at odds with Holland's coach, Dick Advocaat, and he does not expect to start in either of those two decisive matches.

In an interview with the French sports daily L'Equipe, the Manchester United's Dutch striker revealed the extent of his disenchantment with Advocaat, and the news travelled quickly into the Dutch press. The Manchester United striker claims there has been a breakdown in trust with Advocaat, who has prefered to pick the Barcelona forward, Patrick Kluivert, as his lead forward in recent matches.

The tension between them sparked when the United player showed his anger at being substituted during the Euro 2004 qualifier against the Czech Republic. Advocaat dropped him from the subsequent match with Moldova although the player has since apologised.

But Van Nistelrooy was quoted in L'Equipe as saying of Advocaat: "Considering the fact that he substitutes me systematically, I don't feel any trust in him. It will be Kluivert. I have no doubts at all, even though Advocaat hasn't said a word yet. I don't like to say it but I feel that it will go like this. I am on the bench against Scotland. But OK, the most important thing is that we qualify for Portugal."

Ironically, Kluivert has fallen out of favour with his manager at Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, something Van Nistelrooy would be hard pushed to do at Old Trafford.