"It's the way they play. You have to respect it but for me, it's a bit rubbish."
Those were some of the sour comments made by Spain captain Rodri in a live TV interview following their dismal 2-0 defeat away to Scotland in March, back when that Group A result seemed like a huge shock.
Ahead of the return fixture taking place in Seville on Thursday, the Scots sit prettily top of the group; six points clear of Spain and on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024 before their two-time European champion opponents.
Seven months ago, Rodri was left bemoaning Steve Clarke and co's tactics at Hampden Park after two goals from talisman Scott McTominay forged what could well go down as the most memorable result on Scotland's scintillating route to Germany, having won all five games so far. Victory on Spanish soil would surely top it - not that they necessarily need a win anyway, as a draw would be enough to qualify.
Should Scotland suffer their first competitive defeat since June 2022, then the Tartan Army will still be able to start booking their flights if Cyprus pull off a shock at home to Norway by earning a win or draw. Otherwise, Clarke's side would have to put the champagne on ice until next week or next month, but they'll want the job done in Spain and make Rodri eat his words.
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"It's always wasting time," the irked Manchester City linchpin also told Viaplay. "They provoke you. They always fall. For me, this is not football."
Some fans who've made the journey to the south coast of Spain are sporting t-shirts with Rodri's comments on, while No.1 goalkeeper Angus Gunn admits that he found them "funny." "We beat them and that was our job done," Norwich shot-stopper Gunn added.
"If they want to say stuff like that, well that's up to them. We've just got to focus on ourselves and be professional and hopefully have a smile on our face after the game again!"
Have your say! Will Scotland stun Spain once again? Let us know your score prediction in the comments section.
Rodri could be left fizzing once again on Thursday, as Scotland only need a draw to qualify (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)While midfield dynamo John McGinn and boss Clarke claimed in Wednesday's pre-match press conference that they'd forgotten Rodri's comments, assistant John Carver certainly hasn't. "I didn't like it," the ex- Newcastle interim manager declared ahead of what's set to be a fiery reunion between the two nations.
"I thought it was disrespectful, but it was their prerogative to say whatever they want to say, if they wanted to use that as an excuse, I don't know. As far as I am concerned, it agitated me and I am sure it would have got to some of the players."
Rangers and Scotland legend Colin Hendry turned the tables on Rodri, insisting that his country have learned the dark arts from the likes of Spain and Italy. "It was interesting listening to Rodri's interview," Hendry told talkSPORT.
"We learned all that time wasting from those guys. The continental way. You could say the Italians, but the Spanish are right up there with time wasting and diving, all that stuff."
Steve Clarke sees Thursday night's clash as "totally different" to their match in March (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Having been suspended for City of late, Rodri has kept quiet ahead of round two at the Estadio La Cartuja. The 27-year-old did, however, also note after losing in Glasgow: "They have their weapons and we will learn for the next time.
"I think we'll need more away from home because their side his definitely improved and we'll need to deal with that. We'll need the same attitude, the same commitment, the same organisation and the same philosophy in the sense of we'll defend when we need to defend and then we'll try and counter-attack if we can't.
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"It's all about the same principles but we'll need just a little bit more in there, probably a hostile atmosphere."
The Tartan Army will certainly try and make their section of La Cartuja the kind of cauldron which Scotland benefited from first time around against Spain, but Clarke sees the contest on the pitch as "totally different." "We got them at a good time in March and we have to be very good to get a positive result," the former West Brom boss explained.
"I can't even remember what he said to be honest. It is not something I get involved in. That game was in March, this game is in October. It's a totally different game."
The same result would do nicely for them, though.
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