«Superstars? We have never had players like that!»
Scotland international Paul Lambert explains in this exclusive interview why the Germany game at the Euros is the biggest for the Scots in 26 years - and why the stadium in Munich will shake.
The opening match of the European Championship between Germany and Scotland in Munich will affect few people as much as Paul Lambert, 54, because the Scot is not only revered in his home country for his successes with Celtic Glasgow and the national team, but he has also achieved memorable things in Germany: Lambert sensationally won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund at the end of his one-year stint at BVB in 1997. In the 3:1 final against Juventus Turin - also in Munich (Olympiastadion) - he beat the great Juve playmaker Zinédine Zidane.
Lambert is so well known in Great Britain that England's Jude Bellingham once wanted to give him one of his Dortmund jerseys. When the two met up after a match and Bellingham handed over his wet and sweaty shirt, Paul Lambert replied dryly: "Jude, you know the secret of a top player, don't you? You don't sweat!" Lambert joins the video interview from his home in Nottingham, England. On the wall hangs a BVB jersey, his winning kit from 1997.
Between The Lines: Mister Lambert, ahead of the European Championship opener against Germany on Friday evening, Scotland's soccer is more in the spotlight than it was 26 years ago. Scotland opened the 1998 World Cup against the then world champions Brazil - and you were in the starting eleven for the narrow 2-1 draw. How did you experience the hype back then?
Paul Lambert: You have an idea of it, but you don't really notice the excitement. As a player, you're detached from what's happening at home. We knew what the game meant to our fans, but you don't really understand what's going on at home. You can't be in two countries at the same time (laughs). And in the game itself, you only think about how you can win anyway.
What memories do you have of the match in Paris?
The occasion was incredible because millions and millions of people were watching, and because every footballer wants to play against Brazil once in their career, especially against the team of the time. My goodness, they were all world-class players: Ronaldo, Dunga, Rivaldo, Leonardo, Cafu ... Everyone expected us to lose by three, four or five goals. But it didn't turn out that way, it was a close match - as is so often the case in opening matches, because the teams first have to find their rhythm. The pressure on Brazil was also enormous. For us, the match was a freedom game.
Scotland have only been able to qualify for one other tournament since 1998, the 2021 European Championship, where they finished bottom of their group and were eliminated after the preliminary round. Does that make the Germany game the most important since then?
Paul Lambert: Ja, ohne jeden Zweifel. Ich hatte nach der Auslosung dieses bittersüße Lächeln im Gesicht. Es ist ein großartiges Match für die Spieler, die Trainer, den Mitarbeiterstab und das ganze Land. Bei der EM 2021 haben wir zweimal in Glasgow gespielt, da entstand nicht das Gefühl, ins Ausland zu reisen und ein großes Turnier zu spielen. Stattdessen war eher die Last zu spüren, weil wir vor eigenem Publikum abliefern mussten.
How do you see the starting position this time?
The game is much more dangerous for the Germans than for Scotland because expectations are very high in Germany. If Germany underestimate us and don't win, the team will immediately be under pressure and a win in the next game is almost mandatory. Scotland, on the other hand, have nothing to lose, just like we did in 1998. We can play freely without any fear. If we get a draw, that's an incredible start. That's why I think we'll play a reasonable role against Germany. At the same time, the game is a good indicator of how far we've come in our development.
Do you see any similarities between the 1998 team and the current one?
Paul Lambert: Back then it felt like we were a club team, that's how well we players and coaches harmonized with each other. I think the current team has a similar spirit. A cohesive team is always the key to success - especially for us. We currently have a lot of good footballers with years of international experience in the team, but no superstars like Messi or Neymar. We never had such exceptional players in the past either. That's just not us!
What will Scotland do against Germany?
Paul Lambert: We have to be aggressive and physical in tackles, it's in our culture. We've always been characterized by hard work. This attitude was one of the reasons why I was successful in Germany, both countries are quite similar in that respect. But we also have to try to handle the ball well ourselves. Because we don't have the type of players who are able to kick the ball high up the pitch, as is the cliché here. It won't do us any good to just wait and defend. We can't have any respect.
The Scots' problem has always been scoring goals. The national team's last goal in a tournament was scored by Craig Burley in 1998. Are you confident that this streak will end?
I just hope so. You can go back forever: We were never a nation that scored a lot of goals, even though we had wonderful attacking players in Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Joe Jordan, Steve Archibald and Charlie Nicholas. We always won our games narrowly, with few goals. Our goals are always hard teamwork. Germany, on the other hand, had Gerd Müller, Karl-Heinz Riedle, Jürgen Klinsmann and Miroslav Klose in the national team. Goals, goals, goals were guaranteed.
Scotland's center forward Lyndon Dykes had to leave the tournament injured and withdraw from the European Championship. Who will replace him?
His absence is a big blow for us. But I highyl rate Scott McTominay ...
... the Manchester United all-rounder, who was Scotland's top scorer in the European Championship qualifiers with seven goals ...
... yes, because he has good timing in the penalty area. I know he can also play in defense, but I think he's at his best in attacking midfield. He definitely poses a threat to the opposition's goal.
How do you rate the chances of progressing to the knock-out-stage?
Paul Lambert: On paper, Germany is the favorite in the group - and the other three countries are fighting for places behind them. But the games are never decided on paper (laughs). We believe that we have a chance of reaching the knockout phase of a tournament for the first time. However, I think the games against Switzerland and especially Hungary are mentally more difficult. They are a bigger stumbling block than the Germans.
In your first professional season in 1985/86 at Scottish club St. Mirren FC, you played together with the current national team coach Steve Clarke, and you met him again and again later as a coach in the English Premier League. What kind of person is he?
Paul Lambert: As a player, he was very quick and strong. As a right-back, he always drove our game forward down the flanks. I played directly in front of him in my debut season until he moved to Chelsea. He helped me a lot to integrate into the team. Steve is a nice, modest guy who is a pleasure to be around. He never pushes himself to the fore, as you can also see on the sidelines. I have a lot of respect for him and I'm not surprised that he does a great job. In my view, he deserves more recognition than he has received so far.
Since Clarke took over the national team in May 2019, Scotland have qualified for the European Championship twice. Under him, the country has re-established itself as a footballing nation on the big stage.
Yes, the Tartan Army (Scotland's fans) are now backing the team again and following them wherever they go, as they always did in the past. The support is almost fanatical. In previous years, that has been lost a little. Now the national stadium (in Glasgow) is full every time Scotland play. And I'm sure there will be an influx of Scottish fans on Friday who will make the stadium in Munich shake. It will be a party festival. The German and Scottish fans will get along well because we're always up for a beer and never cause trouble.
Are you also coming to the European Championships?
Paul Lambert: Absolutely, if my schedule allows it. I love Germany and like the respectful nature and lifestyle of the Germans. I visit regularly, watch the first, second and third division soccer matches and go to the Christmas markets. In 2004, I even got my coaching license in Cologne because soccer knowledge is so strong in Germany. Back then, I was on a course with Jürgen Klopp, Olaf Janßen, Olaf Thon and Mike Büskens. That was one of the best years of my life.