SCOTLAND'S World Cup hopefuls are heading for France in good shape - both on and off the pitch. The players know that if they can be the first Scottish squad to reach the second phase of the finals, they will become legends north of the border. The likes of Jimmy Johnstone and Billy Bremner wouldn't have been impressed by the suggestion of extra training and a strict diet, but the current group are working their nuts off with the opening match in the finals against holders Brazil only 15 days away.
Monaco midfielder John Collins is the leader of the gym club and is regularly joined by Tom Boyd, Colin Calderwood, Billy McKinlay, Paul Lambert and Darren Jackson. Scotland manager Craig Brown applauds the development and the players' new ultra-professional mental approach: ''We will be continuing to go at training full pelt this week. The work ethic of the squad is very encouraging. Even after training, a number of the players have been working out in the hotel gym.
Collins sets a terrific example. He has made his money in the game but still works extremely hard to stay in shape. He is obsessed by diet and fitness and is so disciplined in everything he does. Now other players are following his lead, the Celtic boys and people like McKinlay and Calderwood. McKinlay only recently joined the group and he is now thinking about what he eats and drinks.''
Celtic midfielder Lambert has blossomed after a season in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and was outstanding in the 2-2 draw against Colombia at the weekend. ''I have rated Lambert since he won his first cap in 1992 for the Under-21s, said Brown. I have always felt he was the type of player who would do well on the continent as he never gives the ball away. He is very patient and his qualities are there for all to see.''

WALKER ON EGG SHELLS IAN WALKER is sweating on his place in England's final 22 for the World Cup, but knows he might not get a game to prove his worth to coach Glenn Hoddle. The Spurs goalkeeper has widely been regarded as No 2 to Arsenal's David Seaman but injuries plus Hoddle's desire to look at Nigel Martyn and Tim Flowers mean Walker hasn't played in an international since the Wembley defeat by Italy 15 months ago. Now he is praying he'll get a run-out in one of this week's friendlies against Morocco and Belgium. ''It would be nice to have a chance of a game, he said, but I don't know what the manager has got in his mind. There are two matches left and three goalkeepers trying to get two places, so someone is going to have to miss out. In the qualifiers for this World Cup only myself and Dave played - and I played in one of the hardest qualifiers you can get. I'd be really disappointed if I did not get in, it would be hard to take because I've been in near enough every squad when I've been fit. Walker said there would be sympathy for whichever of the goalkeeping trio acting as back-up to Seaman is left out: There is a bond between keepers and they always back each other, appreciate each others' skills and stick together. We all battle hard in training and try our best to impress but we also all get on well and the two keepers who go to France will feel sorry for the one that does not make it.

MERSON: ‘WE'RE ENGLAND UNITED' THERE are less than seven days before the England squad splits into the haves - the 22 going to the World Cup - and the have-nots - the seven who haven't done enough to make Glenn Hoddle's final party. Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Merson is more likely to be a have-not than a have, but he says that the pressure of competing for places isn't damaging team spirit. ''Everyone is aware of what next Monday means and there are going to be seven disappointed people, he said. ''It will be a hell of a disappointment for anyone if they are left out, including me. When I was coming back from my off-the-field problems one of the goals I set myself was to get into a World Cup squad. But there is no bitterness or back-biting or bitching in the squad and the spirit has remained really good. No-one is kicking each other in training! It's healthy competition. Only 22 can go to France, but those who miss out will be hoping the team win the World Cup. Glenn Hoddle is also good in ensuring that the competition for places is not a factor in terms of affecting performances. He just says: 'go out and play'. He does not put any pressure on you by saying: 'this is your last chance'. Merson is not reading any significance into only being on the bench, and not being used, against Saudi Arabia on Saturday. ''I don't look on it as being under any more pressure because I did not play,'' he said. ''I did not really expect to get any action because I had played the previous two games. I was surprised to be even included as a substitute.

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