THE Macedonian defender will meet his new Hawthorns team-mate for the first time when the pair go toe-to-toe at Hampden tomorrow night.
GORAN POPOV wants to destroy Scotland – then cadge a cheeky lift back to West Brom with vanquished Tartan Army rival James Morrison.
Popov signed for West Brom at the end of last month but hasn’t met his new Baggies colleagues as he instantly headed off to report for international duty after penning his season-long loan deal from Dynamo Kiev.
The 27-year-old can’t wait to get started in the Premiership but before he locks horns with the cream of England, Popov has Scotland to deal with as his side look to shatter Craig Levein’s team.
West Brom midfielder Morrison will again have a pivotal role at Hampden and Popov said: “I know James is an important player for Scotland and I look forward to playing against him.
“I didn’t see him on transfer deadline day. The squad was training on the Friday morning and then went home to rest ahead of the match against Everton while I arrived in the evening.
“So this will be the first time I have actually met him and I hope we can become friends at West Brom.
“It would be good if we could travel back down to England again after the match but first we have to be on opposite sides and do the best for our countries.
“From speaking to people at West Brom I have discovered how popular a player Morrison is. They think a lot of him and his performances and goals were very important last season.
Popov, however, knows that despite misfiring against Serbia, Levein’s team have other attacking weapons. He added: “It’s not just about Morrison as Scotland have a lot of players in the Premiership.
“If we don’t play well in Glasgow then we will get nothing. We have to be strong and clever.
“I know how difficult it will be against Scotland, but we have a new coach and a new belief about the squad.
“We know Scotland will be favourites but that doesn’t always count for too much in football.
The full-back almost helped his side shock top seeds Croatia on Friday night in Zagreb and Macedonia were desperately unlucky to lose to Nikica Jelavic’s late winner.
And Popov said: “This group has so many good teams in it and every country can win against each other so it will stay interesting until the very end.