WE TURN UP... YOU GO DOWN

Hitman Fullkrug admits Germans are arrogant and insists Friday night is all about what THEY do, not what Scotland produce

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

ARROGANCE and the Germany national team.

Two things that go together like a Bratwurst and sauerkraut.

And the Germans don't mind admitting it.

Niclas Fullkrug was about to stop himself using the word at yesterday's press conference in Nuremberg - but then he just said it anyway.

Why not? If the Germans don't have an air of self-confidence about them, you know something's not right.

The big Borussia Dortmund striker was asked about Scotland and Friday night's Euro 2024 opener in Munich.

Fullkrug watched our 2-2 friendly draw at Hampden against Finland last week and was impressed by Steve Clarke's side.

Our high pressing style wasn't something he expected to see from a Scottish team.

But will it alter how Fullkrug or Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann approaches the tournament curtain-raiser?

That seems unlikely. Because as one of the favourites for a Euros in their own backyard – it’s all about how THEY perform and no one else.

Fullkrug, who is just off the back of a Champions League Final defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley, can’t wait to face the Scots.

He’s battling it out with Arsenal frontman Kai Havertz for a starting slot against Clarke’s boys.

But rather than focus on the problems Scotland might cause Germany, he believes if they turn up on the night, there will only be one outcome.

Fullkrug said: “We’ve prepared a bit for the Scotland game, we’ve tried to adapt a few things for a specific opponent.

“We tried to put interesting processes in place against Greece in our last game that will prepare us for Scotland.

“And I’m excited to see how the coaches will prepare us for Friday.

“I saw Scotland’s last game and they performed a little differently to what I expected.