David Moyes: Germans will be packed with quality

“Germany will go into it as one of the favourites”

David Moyes is a big Scotland fan.

So as well as soaking in all of the action during the World Cup Finals, he will be keeping a particular eye on Germany.

Gordon Strachan’s side kick-off their bid to qualify for Euro 2016 in France with a tricky qualifier against the Germans in the Westfalenstadion on September 7.

He feels Joachim Loew’s side are extremely capable side, and will go far in Brazil. But he wonders if they are as strong as the German outfits that have done so well in the tournament down through the years.

Moyes said: “Germany will go into it as one of the favourites, but I’m not quite sure if they are the strongest German team I’ve seen in recent years.

“But you’d still expect them to be heavily involved throughout the tournament because they have quality in every area of the pitch in Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose, to name but a few.”

Spain represent the best chance of the winners coming from Europe, but Moyes also expects to see Belgium perform well.

They qualified for the tournament after emerging from a tough section that contained Scotland, and Moyes has worked with several of their players at Everton and Manchester United.

“Belgium will be strong and should not be underestimated,” said Moyes.

“Kevin Mirallas will be important. We got him from Olympiakos and he can play several positions along the front line, as a main striker or coming from a wide area.

“He is a very good finisher if chances are created for him. Marouane Fellaini, who I had at Everton and who was my first signing for Manchester United, will also do well.

“Every time I went to see Belgium, I left thinking he was the best player on the park.

“He played in a very good Belgium team a few years ago and he always excelled, and was the player who made a difference.

“I’m delighted their manager, Marc Wilmots, has included Adnan Januzaj in his squad.

“He was great for me at United. Adnan is a talented young footballer and has the ability to be one of the players that lights up the tournament.”