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Scotland 15 - 9 England: Saturday 8 March 2008, Edinburgh

Scots defy odds to kick old foes into touch. Paterson and Parks bring their boots to seal a famous Calcutta Cup victory

SCOTLAND got a monkey off their back, put any number of demons to the sword and, in doing so, they proved that history really does repeat itself. Two years ago in the rain Chris Paterson kicked five penalties and Dan Parks dropped a goal to ensure a dramatic against-the-odds-win over England. Yesterday the same two men combined to kick five penalties, four to Paterson and one to Parks, which proved enough in the wet and windy conditions for another famous victory over the self same foe. Scotland have now won three of their last five matches against the Auld Enemy at Murrayfield and the sight of England's icon Jonny Wilkinson trudging off the field with ten minutes of the match remaining spoke volumes for the collective collapse of England's resolve. There is something about the white shirts that brings out the best in this squad of players. After defending like traffic cops all season, the Scots suddenly formed an impassible barrier and did to England what Ashton's men had done to France a fortnight ago. It was an immense effort and the rewards were equally substantial: self-respect. ONCE AGAIN THE DENNY & DUNIPACE PIPE BAND WERE THERE WITH PAUL playing for the huge crowd and TV audience! Boy did we get wet!
 

Saturday 17 November 2007, Hampden park, Glasgow

McLeish fury at decision that spelled the end for Scots
WITH the emotion of the day clearly still coursing through him, Alex McLeish (Scottish manager) got stuck into Senor Manuel Gonzalez with all the alacrity his players had shown against the Azzurri earlier in the evening. McLeish wasted no time in jumping on Gonzalez, the Spanish referee, for his decision to award Italy the free-kick that led to Christian Panucci's winning goal. OUTRAGEOUS! It was a terrible blunder by the official. In fact, the decision was made by Gonzalez's linesman, Juan Jimenez, but it was the organ grinder Gonzalez who got it in the neck from McLeish AND THE HUGE CROWD. "We're disappointed at the free-kick award," said a deeply frustrated McLeish. "It was poor. I can't understand why he gave the free-kick to Italy. I've seen it on the video and it's unbelievable. When the flag pointed in the direction of our goal I was baffled. Gonzalez is a top referee. What can you do? He's a top referee and UEFA chose him. He did all right but a lot of his decisions were unjust." Another one of Gonzalez's judgments was remarked upon, the one that saw Scottish claims for a penalty when Lee McCulloch's shot hit the upper arm of Gianluca Zambrotta. McLeish's sense of injustice was tempered by the uncertainty at not having seen a replay of the incident.

REF'S ERRORS
15 mins: Scotland denied penalty Scotland are denied a penalty when Gianluca Zambrotta blocks Lee McCulloch's goal-bound shot with his arm. The incident comes during a period of sustained Scotland pressure and the home side appeal strongly for a spot-kick, but Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez waves away the claims.
63 mins: Ferguson equalises Hampden erupts as Scotland equalise but Barry Ferguson looks suspiciously offside as he slides home the goal after McCulloch's shot is parried by Buffon. The linesman keeps his flag down and the Scotland captain is able to celebrate his first ever home goal for his country.
90mins: Hutton penalised wrongly Spanish linesman Juan Carlos Jimenez flags for a free-kick for the Italians after Italy sub Giorgio Chiellini barges into Alan Hutton. It's a perplexing decision and fatal for the Scots as Italy net an injury-time winner when Christian Panucci heads home the free-kick.
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Tears and laughter as Tartan Army sings in the rain
WE'RE out, we're not going to Euro 2008, but here's what we do now: we bury the DVD of last night's heartbreak defeat by Italy in a time capsule; it will contain everything about following the national football team, indeed about being Scottish, that future generations could possibly want to know. Horror - at losing a goal before the Tartan Army at Hampden had even taken a bite out of their pies. Delirium - at battling back to equalise. A cheeky grin (our goal was offside). Agony - at a near miss. Finally, at the death, weary resignation at another glorious failure, maybe the most glorious of them all.

What they said...
FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND "Scotland's players have performed heroics during this incredibly tough qualifying campaign to finish on 24 points. They've restored national pride and won international respect. The outstanding wins over France at Hampden and the Parc des Princes have cemented the players' place in Scottish footballing history. So much credit has to go to Walter Smith, who began the renaissance in 2005, and Alex McLeish, who took it even further. Scotland's future looks assured - with such a young team, many of the players could still be playing in a decade's time. They have proved they can live with the best, and finishing third in a group with the World Cup winners, finalists and quarter-finalists is a terrific achievement."

ITALY BOSS ROBERTO DONADONI "It's a very good result for us. I'm very happy for me, for everybody, for the whole Italian people. I want to say congratulations to the Scotland team. They are a very good team; 24 points is not nothing."

PAUL MCLEAN - MCLEANSCOTLAND "I was at the game, it rained. It rained from the moment the 5 Tartan Army coaches left Perth at 10.30. I think the Perth Regiment was the strongest there outside of the Weegies, a great effort by all. As we got to Glasgow it was raining, 12 noon and time to kill. Social club for drinks and a band (not very good). Walkies to a pub or two and eventually into the ground, it was still raining. kick off, och 2 minutes in they scored.  The atmosphere didna change though, it was superb. All the while roaring our team on, even in defeat we were proud of the boys, they came back to the pitch because we wanted them to, to say thank you. Off they went again and off to the coaches we went, it was raining.  Back home in Perth, it was raining.  Went to the pub saw Liz and Grant, had a drink!"
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All hands on deck: The Tartan Army, complete with open top bus, make their way across Paris towards the Parc des Princes for Wednesday’s match. To see yourself as others see you, and all that. The Tartan Army on a tour of duty abroad is a strange beast. To be pitched in among them is to feel like you have fronted up at the world’s largest stag week, or wandered into a fancy dress party in which you happen to be the only person who has come as themselves. Forever the saving, nay amazing, grace is that there is always a complete absence of any aggressive undercurrent whenever this band gather overseas. That sets them apart from practically every other travelling football support the world over. If they know that and play up to it, so what? So what if, at Sweden in 1992, some members of the Tartan Army took to helping old ladies across the road. Doing right can never be wrong.  our Paul is a card carrying tartan army member!

SEPP Blatter, (his name is as weird as his decisions!)  the president of football's world governing body FIFA, has urged the British four national home associations to bury their differences over entering an all-British team for the 2012 London Olympics, and is ready to provide a written guarantee that a united team would not affect their future status in world football. Ever since London was awarded the Games, the SFA, supported by Wales, have fiercely resisted a united under-23 football team for fear of losing their own individual national identity. SFA chief executive David Taylor, recently appointed as UEFA's new secretary general, has stated on numerous occasions that joining forces with the other home nations for 2012 would serve as a dangerous precedent. MY VIEW - PAUL; don't do it Scotland.  Who would be the manager of this team? and why would he/she pick Scots?  Come on tell me honestly how many Northern Irish, Welsh or Scots players would feature?  Maybe one for luck?  Keep out of it Scotland.  On a note with a wry connection to this, why is it then that the English Premiership football league will NOT allow Celtic to join them?  I'll tell you why, they are scared of us!  It's an English league they say, oh is that right? Then why do Welsh teams play in the English leagues?  Why does an English team play in the Scots league?  Think it over... our national footy team is no doing bad actually!  April 07.   THE TARTAN ARMY   The Tartan Army are travelling supporters of the Scottish national football team. They are the World's Friendliest Fans, as awarded in France during the 1998 World Cup, and have won numerous awards over the years from both FIFA and UEFA for their combination of rabid support and friendly nature. This friendly attitude is all the more surprising bearing in mind their team's track record, which especially in recent times, has been relatively poor.  PAUL MCLEAN of McLean Scotland is a card carrying member of the Perthshire Regiment of the Tartan Army and proud of it. They have never got past the first round of a World Cup, although they did qualify for five in a row - from 1974-90. Some say that the amicability of the Tartan Army is due to the high volumes of alcohol imbibed before, during and after a game, a fact that few members would dispute. Countries drawn against Scotland look forward to the arrival of the fans, and events, such as concerts, are put on to keep them occupied. These are generally accompanied by a low level of policing due to their good behaviour over the years.  Let's face it, most times we know we will draw or get beaten, but it is for the love of the team the country and of course, the great craik that the army travel.  There are many regiments dotted all around the world, not just in Scotland. Try these links ... www.t-army.com http://scotlandinter.net/football/tartanarmy.htm www.perthshiretartanarmy.com http://taboard.com CUP WINNING TEAM   The Kirin Cup is an annual football tournament organised in Japan by the Kirin Corporation. Since 1992 only national teams enter this competition.  Scotland won the Kirin Cup with a 0-0 draw against Japan in Saitama today, the first trophy for the national team in twenty years. After the 5-1 victory over Bulgaria the Scots knew that a draw or even a narrow defeat would secure the trophy. Japan had the better of the first half, and came closest when Koji hit the post from 25 yards in 23 minutes, while Ogasawa forced Neil Alexander into two saves, and the keeper also saved at point blank range from Ono. There was a scare deep into stoppage time but Neil Alexander again saved the free kick, and the Kirin Cup will head back to Scotland. Scotland squad: Alexander, Weir, Murty (sub McNamee 79), McCulloch (sub L. Miller 69), McFadden (sub Boyd 59), Severin (sub Rae 46), G Caldwell, Anderson, Naysmith (sub Murray 46), Teale (sub Burke 59), Fletcher. So, it may only be a trophy that 3 teams contest but come on, when did England last win a trophy? Well done lads, and it was lads, the Scots team were mainly young lads coming up through the ranks, let's keep it going. ..................................................... Scotland Supporters Club www.scotlandsupportersclub.com The website is exclusively for members of the Scotland Supporters Club and features a range of News, Information and Travel Tips and details on tickets and exclusive members Competitions. If you are not currently a club member, find out more details about the Scotland Supporters Club please click on the link above.   www.scottishrugby.org the website for Scottish Rugby     Caribbean thanks to football fans   (15 July 2006.) Costumed dancing girls led the celebrations in Glasgow. A delegation from Trinidad and Tobago is in Scotland to thank football fans for supporting them in the World Cup. The Caribbean team faced England in the group stages and the fixture caused cross-border debate when First Minister Jack McConnell gave them his backing. Celebrations include musicians, dancers and two local Trinidadian bands. The event was held in Glasgow's George Square on Saturday and moves on to Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens on Sunday. Mr McConnell had said he would be rooting for the underdogs during the tournament, as well as the teams showing "a bit of flair". He also said he would be supporting teams with Scottish-based players, like Trinidad and Tobago, whose player Jason Scotland was adopted by the Tartan Army, he plays for St Johnstone (Perth).   SCOTLAND Under 19 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 0 CALUM Elliot (Hearts) sent Scotland's Under-19 side marching into the European Championship final with a golden winner to beat the Czech Republic in Poland last night. It is the first time since 1982 that a Scottish side has reached the final of the competition and it was richly deserved. Considering this was a semi-final, it was hugely open and mightily entertaining as chances flowed at both ends, after all the action, the opening period ended goalless. Scotland enjoyed the better of the game, but the Czechs upped their efforts as they set about hauling themselves level. Gemmill's (Scottish manager) men were thus offered counter-attacking opportunities but most importantly they kept their composure at the back to thwart the Czech fightback. Scotland: McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, Fletcher (Snodgrass 46), McGlinchey, Conroy (Dorrans 87), Cameron (Kenneth 78), Adams. Subs not used: Fox, Gilmour, Reynolds. Czech Republic: Petr, Donalek, Pavlic, Svec, Simunek, Mazuch (Hasek 73), Jungr, Fenin, Mares (Jeslinek 78), Janda, Strestik. Subs not used: Frydrych, Blazek, Kudela. SPAIN 2 Bueno 51, 71 SCOTLAND 1 Dorran 87 Scottish under-19 team, NARROWLY beaten by Spain by the odd goal in European Championship final in the Polish city of Poznan. We almost pulled off the shock of beating Spain, the hot favourites who had set a record for goals in European finals at this age group. A late goal from Graham Dorrans of Livingston gave the Scots a chance of a sensational comeback after two second half goals from Spain . Every one of the Scots lads can take much credit from their performance in the tournament. But how the young Scots battled back. Simon Ferry of Celtic scorned an easy chance after his Parkhead team-mate Michael McGlinchey also missed a half-chance. Then Dorrans came on for Greg Cameron of Dundee United and Brian Gilmour of Rangers replaced Celtic's Ryan Conroy. The substitutions really paid off as first Gilmour almost scored from a free kick, and then Dorrans set up a grandstand finish with his goal in 87 minutes, the score coming from a powerful header off Elliot's cross. It is an amazing achievement for the lads just getting to the final, you have to ask, "where were England then?" Really well done lads you are a credit to us.   Scotland U19: McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Grant, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, McGlinchey, Cameron (Dorrans, 74), Conroy (Gilmour, 79), Adams.   Spain U19: Adan, Barragan, Valiente, Pique, M Suarez, Calvo (J Suarez, 73), Garcia, Capel (Granero, 83), Canella, Mata, Bueno.

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MCLEAN SCOTLAND offering you escorted whisky tours, self drive whisky tours, escorted group and motorcoach tours of Scotland, Scottish Highlands and Lowlands tours, Scottish cities and beautiful tours of Scotland's coasts and islands. A tour operator that shows you Scotland like no other company! Our Scottish self drive tours are the best there is, our guides and driver guides are excellent. We arrange all your accommodation in Scottish bed and breakfasts, guest houses and Scotland's hotels and castle. Aye, stay overnight in a Scottish castle. We know all those special places. We arrange romantic breaks, get married or re new your vows in Scotland, near a loch, in a romantic glen, at a castle or palace. We offer golf tours of Scotland, self drive or guided tours, golf in the highlands or at any famous course such as Gleneagles, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Turnberry to name a few. Mclean Scotland are your one stop shop for travel to Scotland and everything Scots. Join the hundreds of happy people who have been before with us. A vacation to Scotland with mcleanscotland is one to remember.

Mclean Scotland self drive tours. Mclean Scotland guided tours. Mclean Scotland group tours. Mclean Scotland Passport to Scotland. Mclean Scotland whisky tours. Mclean Scotland da Vinci Code tour. Mclean Scotland garden tours of Scotland. Mclean Scotland west coast tours. Mclean Scotland Isles tours. Mclean Scotland Perthshire tours. Mclean Scotland also have two sister companies that work on tours in Ireland.  See our recommendations page from past mclean scotland guests to Scotland. Here at mclean scotland we have a unique news and views page, full of Scottish facts. Have you seen the Robert the Bruce tour mclean scotland offer? Mclean Scotland have also assisted many pipe bands here in Scotland. We also arrange renewall of wedding vows here in Scotland, let Mclean help you too! For the clan Maclean gathering mclean scotland have a variety of tour options available to Mcleans, Macleans and McLaines who wish to attend. The Clan Maclean gathering tours by mclean scotland are open to all, you do not have to be a Mclean to join the fun! On a Mclean Scotland Viking tour, you will visit Orkney and Inverness and many parts of the Scottish Highlands. For a tour with a bit of murder and mayhem, why not look at the Mclean Scotland Celts, Picts & Romans tour.

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