Changing Room Chat: Boos habit fails to faze Serb keeper

Published on 17/08/2012 00:35

SERBIA fans copied the Tartan Army by booing one of their own players in their home game against Ireland.

Keeper Vladimir Stojkovic, pictured, was booed before the game and every time he touched the ball by a crowd of 7,000 in Belgrade’s Marakana Stadium during the goalless draw. Stojkovic plays for Partizan Belgrade and the match was played at the home of city rivals Red Star. He was even assaulted by Serbia fans on his team bus after Serbia’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Genoa, when the match against Italy was abandoned after crowd trouble.

But, like Scotland’s Ian Black, Stojkovic insisted the booing did not bother him. He said: “I would not give importance to the whistles. The most important thing is we played well. I am used to this treatment, but all I care about is the team playing well.

“We think we are ready now for the World Cup and are confident of getting points in Scotland.”