Scotland: Shepherd sets Euro target 
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| Scotland |
February 21, 2003 
The Telegraph
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By Mike Stanger
Johnson Dundee Wanderers' target at this weekend's European indoor club championship in Copenhagen is to win promotion back to the continent's top eight.
Menzieshill, their city rivals, were relegated from the top tier last year, after Wanderers had come away with the second division gold medal in Rotterdam in 2001.
Wanderers are seeded to come top of Pool A and should have little difficulty in overcoming Epitok from Hungary and today's opposition, Portuguese side Espinho.
The main threat is likely to come from the Austrian champions Weiner AC but it would be a major surprise if the Scots did not reach Saturday semi-final stage, where their likely opponents could be hosts Orient Lyngby, Dinamo Ekaterinburg from Russia or English side Guildford.
Player-coach Gordon Shepherd is confident that his team have the talent and experience to gain one of the two promotion spots. He said: "We have a good well-balanced squad but the big bonus is that nine out of 12 in the side are all capable of scoring goals, none more so than Paul Dailly.
"The biggest incentive for the players is that we are again Scottish champions so, if we gain promotion, it will be for ourselves and not for another club.
"Getting his first indoor cap for Scotland this year at the age of 29 has turned Scott Warden around, and his commitment to the game has gone through the roof."
Ten of this squad have been down this European road before with Wanderers including Shepher, 37, but their youngsters will also have a part to play.
Teenagers Ben Gibson and Graeme Dunn get their European baptisms and student Steven Glass, 21, one of Scotland's most improved players, is also included.
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