Koller the bogeyman is back to haunt Scotland

JAN Koller, the powerful Czech Republic striker, needs no introduction for most Scotland fans, who still recall his cameo appearance in Prague nearly a decade ago. Unfortunately for Scotland he has proved as durable as he is dangerous, and tonight someone once described as "the thinking man's Duncan Ferguson" has again been marked out as the man to fear.

Three Scotland managers and the finals of four international tournaments have come and gone since the night back in June 1999 when the 6ft 7ins striker first impacted on the collective consciousness of the Tartan Army. He was the bogeyman in another Scottish horror-show during the qualifying campaign for Euro2000.

Scotland faced the Czech Republic on the back of a bitterly disappointing draw in the Faroe Isles and confidence was not high prior to a meeting with the runaway leaders of Group Nine, with Craig Brown, the then manager, forced to field what amounted to a B team due to the familiar raft of withdrawals for this end-of-season fixture.

However, an unexpectedly bright start, which included goals from debutant Paul Ritchie and Allan Johnston, led to a fatal surge of confidence among those watching. It proved as brief as it was delirious. The home side pulled a goal back though Tomas Repka just a minute later and then sent Koller on.

Pavel Kuka claimed an equaliser in the 75th minute and Koller headed the winner with three minutes remaining after a raking free-kick into the box delivered by Patrik Berger. Scotland had managed the rare feat of leaving the totem pole of a striker unmarked, something George Burley will be determined his side do not repeat tonight.

Such celebrated Czech players as Repka, Karel Poborsky and Berger have since drifted away from the Czech Republic international scene due to combination of retirement, age and loss of form. Former European footballer of the year Pavel Nedved, presently with Juventus, rejected the call from manager Karel Bruckner to return to the squad for Euro 2008, where the Czech Republic have been drawn with Switzerland, Turkey and Portugal in Group A.

From the band of distinguished Czech players who emerged in the late Nineties it is Koller who has lasted longest, perhaps as a consequence of his relatively late arrival on the international stage. He was almost 25 when he made his debut for the Czech Republic. Although a late starter in terms of international footballer it was still a crime for the Scottish defenders not be conversant with his talents in 1999, with Koller having already emerged as a prolific striker during a three-season spell with Belgian side Lokeren. A subsequent move to Anderlecht saw him named footballer of the year in Belgium in 2000.

But it was his move to Borussia Dortmund in 2001 which truly sealed Koller's place among the elite group of European strikers. The £7 million transfer fee alone made it clear he was a major player.

In his first season in Germany he scored 11 times as Borussia Dortmund clinched the Bundesliga title, but his best return came in 2003-04 when, in what was a poor season for his club, he managed to scored 16 times in 32 games. He stayed two further seasons at the Westfalenstadion but a serious knee injury interrupted his progress and he later joined AS Monaco, where he again established a very acceptable goal-per-game ratio.

But it is in the international footballing firmament where he presently excels. He has already claimed two goals this week, netting twice in the Czech Republic's 2-0 victory over Lithuania on Tuesday.

His goal return now stands at an impressive 54 in 86 matches, and he has long since surpassed Antonin Puc's record of 34 goals for what was then Czechoslovakia, established between 1926 and 1938.

Steven Pressley, the Scotland assistant coach, this week pointed out that Koller remains the "focal point" for his side, and why not? Even at 35 he is their most potent force. As Bruckner said: "We simply know how to use him." But this rich source of goals will not be around for much longer. Koller announced in April that he will retire from football after Euro 2008. The Czech Republic's final game in the tournament will also represent his last one ever.

It is clear his body has suffered over the years, with his tall frame having been pounded by defenders all across Europe. He spent the second-half of last season with FC Nuremberg in the Bundesliga but could not prevent them being relegated to the second division. Indeed, it was an unhappy season for Koller, who only scored twice as the German side, who won the German Cup in 2007, showed how not to build on success.

Koller also attracted criticism after a match at Borussia Dortmund. Koller lapped up the applause of those supporters who once idolised him, much to the displeasure of the 3,000 away fans in the ground. "The reaction from the (Nuremberg] fans really surprised and disappointed me," said Koller. "I was only thanking the Dortmund fans for their great support."

Scotland have been well-warned as Koller prepares to hang up his size 13 boots. Labelled a freak when he emerged on the scene he is now admired for more than just an uncommon heading ability. His volley during the UEFA Cup final in 2002, when Borussia Dortmund lost 3-2 to Feyenoord, was as well-timed as the one struck by Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid at Hampden Park in the European Cup final a week later. The shadow out of which his international successors must step is a formidably long one.

McNaughton has tough task of shackling Skacel in Prague

KEY BATTLES

• RUDI SKACEL v KEVIN McNAUGHTON

The former Hearts left-midfielder will be up against his old mate, Paul Hartley, in this evening's midfield battle, but the opponent who will have to deal with his forward runs down the flank and shots from all over the place will be McNaughton.

The Cardiff right-back is eager to impress Scotland manager George Burley on his latest international comeback and end what has been a successful season on a high.

• TOMAS UJFALUSI v KENNY MILLER

Ujfalusi will be best known to Rangers fans as the influential Fiorentina captain who came up against the Scottish club in both legs of the UEFA Cup semi-final this year. To the Czech Republic, he is an experienced defender with 66 caps under his belt. If his performances with La Viola over the course of the season are anything to go by, the Scots strike-force could be in for a frustrating night. Has taken over as skipper from the injured Tomas Rosicky.

With James McFadden unavailable through injury, Miller is likely to be given the task of getting the goals for Scotland. The striker – who has been linked with a controversial summer return to Rangers – has been an ever-present in the national team since his debut in 2001 and netted the only goal of the Burley era so far, in the 1-1 draw with Croatia at Hampden in March.

• JAN POLAK v BARRY ROBSON

Anderlecht's box-to-box midfielder, Polak played a crucial role in both their domestic league season and the UEFA Cup campaign. Part of the Czech side who won the European Under-21 Championship in 2002, he will be hoping for further success in Euro 2008 this summer.

Up against him in the middle of the park will be Celtic's Robson, who is set to earn his first international start. Robson made his debut in a friendly against South Africa last August and will be well aware he has to make the most of this opportunity in the absence of regular starters such as Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch.

• JAN KOLLER v STEPHEN McMANUS

If Scotland needed a reminder of just how dangerous the towering Koller can be in front of goal, his double in a friendly against Lithuania on Tuesday night should do the trick.

With more than 50 goals in 85 appearances, Koller is the all-time leading scorer for the Czech Republic and the former Czechoslovakia. Set to retire after Euro 2008.

Given the task of shackling the 6ft 7in frontman will be McManus. The Celtic skipper assumed the role of national team captain for the friendly against Croatia and will retain the armband in Prague in the continued absence of Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson.