ENGLAND will have little difficulty beating World Cup rivals Colombia in what could be a crucial last match in Group G. That's the verdict of a trio of Scotland stars who came within 11 minutes of a victory over the South Americans on Sunday in New York. John Collins, Colin Hendry and Christian Dailly emerged from a 2-2 draw at Giants Stadium that the Scots largely dominated convinced that the Colombians won't be able to match Glenn Hoddle's men when they meet in Lens on June 26. I don't think there is any doubt that Colombia are a fine team, but I think England will beat them, said Monaco midfielder Collins, who scored Scotland's opener on Sunday. The flamboyant South Americans took an early lead through a disputed penalty but needed a late goal from Freddy Rincon to salvage a draw after Collins and Craig Burley had netted. Blackburn defender Hendry, his country's captain on the night, said: Colombia are a bit cavalier in their style and they leave spaces which I'm certain England can exploit. Dailly, of Derby County, added: They have very effective players but I reckon England have the stronger squad. I'm sure they will score against the Colombians and beat them. Hoddle sent scout Kenny Samson to New York on a spying mission, and the former England defender doesn't sound as convinced as the Scots that the ageing Colombians will be relatively easy meat. They have a few individuals who can open up the game, he warned, picking out midfield playmaker Rincon and former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla as two of their danger men. Scotland will spend the rest of the week training before meeting the United States in Washington on Saturday. Rangers striker Gordon Durie slightly damaged a hamstring reaching for a pass against Colombia and won't be risked against the USA. Fellow striker Kevin Gallacher has returned to light training after shaking off a stomach bug caused by a dodgy prawn sandwich but he's lost around five pounds. Manager Craig Brown said: ''Five pounds is a lot of weight for someone of Kevin's build to lose. He has had a couple of injections from the doctor but is still in a little bit of discomfort. He remains doubtful for this weekend's game, although obviously we will be monitoring his situation.'' Brown will change things between the posts for the next match with Wimbledon's Neil Sullivan stepping aside for either Jim Leighton or Andy Goram. It seems certain that the keeper picked to face the Americans will have the job of keeping out Brazil in the World Cup curtain raiser on June 10. Other players who could get the call are Leicester defender Matt Elliott and Nottingham Forest midfielder Scot Gemmill.

IRELAND'S DUFF IS THE NEW WADDLE   RISING Republic of Ireland star Damien Duff is being heralded as the new Chris Waddle by Irish boss Mick McCarthy, who sees the Blackburn winger as one of the players who can lead his country back into the big time. The glowing accolade came after Duff had made his first international start in a 0-0 draw against Mexico at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, when the 19-year-old linked with Wolves wonderkid Robbie Keane, 17, to make their World Cup-bound opponents look ordinary. ''Considering he didn't train for most of the week before the game, I thought Duff was excellent,'' said McCarthy. ''I took him off after an hour because I don't want him going back to pre-season training at Blackburn with a strained muscle. I had seen enough of him by then anyway and he really impressed me. He is a real handful when he has the ball at his feet and the player he reminds me of in that respect is Chris Waddle. He looks knackered at times and if I was playing against him I'd think I'd got him sewn up. But it is incredible how he looks revitalised when he gets the ball. He seems to lope around at times but then when he gets it, he's something else.'' Duff first burst onto the international scene as part of the successful Ireland Youth side that finished third in the World Cup in Malaysia last summer. And, after a season in which he has featured regularly for Blackburn, McCarthy's main worry is ensuring the player does not suffer from the premature 'burn-out' that afflicts so many youngsters in their second season at the top. But Duff will now have a full six weeks off to recharge his batteries, he could even be excused from the European Youth Championships in July. ''We could have him playing every game if we are not careful and his club may not want him playing too much football,'' said McCarthy. ''Asking him to jump from the youth team to international football and then back into the English Premiership could ruin him.''

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