Kanchelskis warns of dangerous Russians

Sep 11 2007 by Simon Stone, Liverpool Daily Post

ANDREI KANCHELSKIS has warned Russia will pose a "dangerous" attacking threat when they face England in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying match tomorrow.

England go into the pivotal clash at Wembley on the back of Saturday’s encouraging 3-0 win over Israel but the former Everton and Manchester United winger believes that Russia will offer a sterner test.

Russia have proven resilient opposition in Group E, conceding only one goal - an 84th-minute strike from Israel’s Amit Ben Shushan in October’s 1-1 draw - and Kanchelskis credits their new manager for the current international renaissance.

"Since Guus Hiddink has taken charge there has been a great development in the Russian team," said Kanchelskis.

"They play more attractive football than under the previous regime and they have greater strength in depth." In addition to a resolute defence, Russia have notched 14 goals in their eight qualifying games to date and Kanchelskis, who himself scored four goals in 36 international appearances, believes they have a goalscoring talisman in Sevilla’s Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

"Russia now have a dangerous attacking side to their game and Aleksandr Kerzhakov is very dangerous," he said. "He has learnt a lot playing at the highest level in Spain and has the predatory instinct a striker needs to score goals