BLACKBURN Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher has been singled out by Norway as Scotland's dangerman for the crucial World Cup Group A clash in Bordeaux tomorrow.

Manchester United defenders Ronny Johnsen and Henning Berg believe the diminutive Scot is the player who most threatens their chances of qualifying for the second round.

Johnsen said: "Gallacher's a good player on a good team, so we'll need to look out for him."

Berg, a former team-mate of the Scotland man at Ewood Park, added: "Gallacher is the type of player who can create something out of nothing - and that is the sort of thing you can never guard completely against.

"Around him there are players like Darren Jackson and John Collins, both of whom can carve out chances."

Norway striker Egil Ostenstad is hoping his record against Rovers and Scotland captain Colin Hendry will count in his favour and earn him a slice of the action in the make-or-break encounter.

The Southampton player had to be content with a non-playing substitute's role in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Morocco in Montpellier.

He faces a difficult battle to replace Tore Andre Flo as the focal point of Norway's 4-5-1 system in which Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is forced to play in an out of position left wing-back role.

But 26-year-old Ostenstad points to the fact he has come up against Hendry and his Blackburn side three times in the Premiership - and found the net on each occasion. Norway manager Egil Olsen has admitted that he may make "one, two or maybe three changes" after being disappointed with some aspects of his side's performance against Morocco.

And Ostenstad said: "From my point of view it would be nice to have some action. Colin Hendry is always tough to play against but I have always scored against Blackburn. That's a good thing for me - but maybe not for Scotland if I get the chance!

"They have got some excellent players. Kevin Gallacher has had a brilliant season in the Premiership and showed against Brazil that he can still cause problems when playing on the right wing.

"John Collins is an excellent player while Gordon Durie with his pace will be a threat all the time but we have faith in our ability."

"The Scotland game will be extra special because so many players on both sides know each other from the Premiership and that means the game will be tougher than it would normally be.

"The group is tougher than we expected when the draw was made and Morocco, who we thought would be the weak link, have got as good a chance as Norway or Scotland of going through."

Ostenstad added: "We know the importance of Tuesday's game. We will still have a chance of qualifying even if we lose but it will be much easier if we can collect the three points against Scotland.

"They played very well against Brazil and in the context of World Cup history it must have been one of the best opening games ever.

"But the sheer fact of the matter is that Scotland still ended up with no points - and its points that count in the World Cup."

Berg and Erik Mykland - branded "a pair of gangsters" by Olsen - were at the centre of a furore in the Norwegian camp when they visited a nightclub until the early hours of Saturday morning, but both are to remain with the squad.

Rovers start and finish their 1998/99 season the same way they did their last campaign with Derby County and Newcastle United providing the opposition on the first and last days respectively.

Roy Hodgson's men, who kick-off at home to Derby, entertain champions Arsenal on October 24 and are at home to Manchester United on April 10.

The Boxing Day game is at home to Aston Villa.

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