I had a dream

Posted on November 19, 2007
Filed Under Current affairs, Football |

I did. Like 5 million other Scots, I dreamed of the Sunday headlines reading ‘Scotland 2 Italy 1′ or the like and of seeing Barry Ferguson’s grinning face on the back page of the paper as he ran to the Hampden crowd in ecstasy.

It wasn’t to be. Sadly, after a superhuman effort from a small footballing nation, the football giants which are Italy put us out of Euro 2008 with a late winner to beat us 2-1 at Hampden. ‘This is Hampden. This is our Colliseum’ read the pitchside banners. They were right, and we were duly thrown to the lions. Thumbs down from the emperor and it was all over.

We did go out with a little bit of a swagger though which was nice. This wasn’t a pretty team by any means. Made up of misfits, madmen and guys who can’t regularly secure starting places for their clubs, this was a Scotland side so so different from those of yesteryear. Whereas in the past we have had teams full of world class individuals, this collection of players play as a team and sweat blood for each other.

From the outset they ran at Italy (the World Champions let’s not forget) and showed them the sort of respect you usually reserve for a pub team. I’m always one for giving respect where it’s due. Respect but not fear. There’s a cockiness to this Scotland team which manages not to border on arrogance but does say “we’re not scared of you”, which I like.

I for one am a proud Scotland fan today.

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