Ex-Italy and Juventus manager Marcello Lippi reminded everybody at Hampden yesterday that Scotland's club displays in Europe and fortunes of the national team are intertwined. Lippi knows of what he speaks as he has won both the Champions League and World Cup.
He believes players perform better at international level if they are used to playing at the top level for their clubs. Lippi's Juventus side lost to Celtic in 2001, although they had already qualified for the knockout stages, but the Old Firm have struggled to reach such heights in recent seasons.
Neither side made the Champions League group stages this season and only Celtic qualified for the Europa League proper, only after Sion were excluded, while Scotland have not reached a major finals since the 1998 World Cup.
Lippi, who was at Hampden yesterday to speak to participants on a coaching course, said: "I don't know why Scottish clubs are not doing really well at a high level in Europe but I know that if you want to do really well with clubs you have to do well with your national team.
If you are used to performing at a high level in the Champions League then you can do well, but it you are in the Europa League every year and not doing well in that, you could struggle." Lippi took time out from wearing his guest lecturer cap to participate in the draw for the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, which, understandably, took place in Hampden's packed Hall of Fame.
Lippi, whose answers were translated by Kilmarnock defender Manuel Pascali, added: "I know football here in Scotland is very, very important. I was looking at the pictures of all the players. I know Scotland has a great tradition in football. When I looked at the pictures, I was really impressed with all the legends."
Source: FOOTYMAD
