Age Hareide admits he is desperate to get off to a winning start as the new Denmark manager even though the matches against Iceland and Scotland are a chance for him to get to know his players.
The Danes play host to Iceland on Thursday before traveling to Hampden next Tuesday to take on Gordon Strachan’s side.
Former Norway boss Hareide replaced Morten Olsen in December after his predecessor’s 15-year reign came to an end when Denmark failed to reach Euro 2016 following a painful play-off defeat to Sweden.
And the vastly experienced 62-year-old insists results are important to him in the upcoming friendlies.
Hareide, who will be assisted by former Newcastle and AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, said: “Whether we only have two training sessions, have had 10 or have been together for 10 months, we play to win.
“That’s what football is all about, the results are at the top.
“A winning mentality is crucial and it will help to lift the team immediately if we can collect victories in these games.
“But it may take time, we can’t say everything will be functioning properly immediately.
“Therefore, it is good that we have five friendly matches before we play in the World Cup qualifiers.”
Hareide, who has also managed Rosenborg, Viking, Helsingborgs and Malmo, admits he wants to make Denmark a greater threat in the final third.
He added: “We must play the ball up from defence, as they did during Morten Olsen’s time.
“The national team has done well defensively and playing the ball around.
“But offensively, we must improve ourselves in the top third of the field. This is the great task.
“We need to be more forward-looking in games.
“We must create spaces with great movement and create openings and breakthrough opportunities.
“It is so important that there is play in the final third so we can create a break through and opportunities.”
