Striker Karim Ansarifard hopes his time at Nottingham Forest will help Iran as they try to get the better of England in this afternoon’s World Cup clash.
The 32-year-old had a short spell at the City Ground from 2018 to 2019, after leaving fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned side Olympiacos. He struggled to make much of an impact with the Reds, making just 12 appearances and scoring twice.
But the front man, who is now with Cypriot outfit Omonia Nicosia, will draw upon his experiences of English football as he represents his country in Qatar. This is Ansarifard’s third World Cup, with Iran facing the Three Lions in today’s Group B opener (1pm kick-off, UK time).