SVIATCHENKO SPIES ON HOOPS

ERIK SVIATCHENKO will turn soccer masterspy on his Celtic team-mates before the Scotland friendly against Denmark at Hampden tomorrow night.

Scots boss Gordon Strachan has named Hoops stars Scott Brown, Craig Gordon, Charlie Mulgrew, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths in his 18-man squad.

Sviatchenko, who was last week named Danish Superliga Player of the Year after his superb season at former club Midtjylland, is hoping to win his fifth cap against his Parkhead colleagues and could be in direct opposition to 35-goal Griffiths at the national stadium.

The central defender reckons he can help out new national coach Age Hareide – who masterminded Malmo’s victory over Celtic in the Champions League play-off earlier this season – win his second game in charge with his inside information.

He said: “It’s going to be great. There are six centre-halves for the squad, so there will be a lot of competition for those places to play. However, I’m still young, I’m 24 and I’m with the national team for getting inspiration as well, but also to show myself as I’ve taken a big step to a big club and I want to develop.

“But at this moment I accept there are a lot of good defenders with Denmark. It’ll be interesting. I’ll have to get my analysis ready for my team-mates with Denmark.”

Sviatchenko signed for the Scottish champions in a £2million deal in the January transfer window and is hoping playing in the Premiership in this country and in European competition in the future will assist his international career.

He added: “I did my research and I knew it was the right step for me.”