Portugal Colonial - 'Age doesn't matter' says veteran Curacao boss Advocaat

Former Rangers boss Advocaat will become the oldest manager at a World Cup, at the age of 78, when he leads the Caribbean nation into the tournament against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

His return to Glasgow for Saturday's match comes a week after 74-year-old O'Neill clinched a domestic league and cup double for Celtic after returning to the Glasgow giants some two decades on from his first stint in Scottish football.

"Martin was already a great coach and he proved it again," Advocaat told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Friday. "Age doesn't matter. It is the way you feel.

"Working with people is the most important thing. Working with a group, with different ideas, that makes things interesting.

"Martin O'Neill was also a coach like that, people know exactly what they have to do. If you are clear to players, then they are clear to you as well.

"That is the way I always worked and I still enjoy it. The good thing is that I am still fit. I feel fit. Otherwise, it would be a different story. I don't feel that age."

Advocaat, who has also coached his native Netherlands and South Korea at previous World Cups, added: "In Holland, I already said so many times that I will quit. And then somebody calls me and is still interested. And then I go."

His return to Hampden came 27 years to the day since he won the treble in his first season with Rangers thanks to Rod Wallace's winner against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

"It's special," he said. "I had already some memories with the national team from Holland to play against Scotland, but I didn't expect to play against Scotland with Curacao.

"I was quite successful here in this stadium. So, you have to be careful."

H.Silva--PC