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SportInternational FootballEx-Hearts Christophe Berra hailed as 'best defender' in English Championship - but...

Ex-Hearts Christophe Berra hailed as ‘best defender’ in English Championship – but he still can’t get a game for Scotland

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Christophe Berra has been described as the ‘best defender’ in the English Championship by Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy – even though the player continues to be overlooked by Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

McCarthy has hailed Berra’s performances for the Tractor Boys this season, with Ipswich boasting the joint-best defence in the league.

Despite his form at club level and question marks hanging over the current Scotland defensive partnership of Grant Hanley and Russell Martin, Berra is yet to feature under Strachan in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

(Pic: Twitter @ScottishFA)
(Pic: Twitter @ScottishFA)

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with leaders Newcastle United, McCarthy, who signed Berra from Hearts for Wolves before taking him to Ipswich, lavished praise on the 31-year-old.

He said: “Berra is the best defender in the league, for me, without a doubt.

“He’s just outstanding, he’s big and powerful and wins it in the air, he’s quick, he blocks things and is good at defending corners.

“Is he the most subtle on the ball, with the ball? No, but I hold a lot of store in keeping the ball out of our net and he is just outstanding.”

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