In the shadow of its imposing neighbor and rival for several decades, Scotland has found its way back to great competition for the first time since the World Cup 98 and an inglorious outing against Morocco in Saint-Etienne (0-3 ). Quietly, the national team has rebuilt itself, carried by a generation much more golden than the previous ones, to find something to play during the summer. 22 years postponed to 23 years of waiting to reconnect with a past not always glorious as during Euro 96 where the Scots fell against England, already at Wembley, already in the second group match (2- 0).
That day, nearly twenty-five years ago to the day, Paul Gascoigne scored one of his most beautiful goals with the Three Lions, who confirmed a little more on this 150-year-old rivalry, which began on November 30, 1872 in Glasgow (0-0) for what has gone down in history as the very first official international match.
Since then, the "Tartan Army" has lost 48 matches (41 victories) including 13 of the last 20 meetings between the two neighbors.
The specter of the failed return
But the two nations face each other less than before, they who have faced each other for a long time every year, as in rugby on the occasion of the Calcutta Cup, the oldest trophy in rugby history. Nevertheless, the feeling of revenge remains exacerbated for the Scots, gone through all the feelings in the last match in 2017, when Harry Kane had equalized in the last second after a Scottish reversal in the last five minutes (2-2). “As a Scotsman, this is THE match not to be missed,” confides the then double-scorer Leigh Griffiths, not selected for the Euro, for
Skysports
. For having played a lot, I can only advise the guys to take advantage of this moment, even if it is necessary to go for a result. "
And for good reason, in favorable conditions (Scotland played at home, at Hampden Park in Glasgow), the partners of Liverpuldien Andrew Robertson lost 0-2 in the opening against the Czech Republic and its brilliant striker Patrik Schick .
The captain has tasted the harsh criticism of the team in the Anglo-Saxon press.
“We are more respected than before since we qualified for a tournament, but that is not enough, exposes the left back to
Skysports
.
The opportunity to play against England is our chance to prove what Scottish football is capable of. ”
Brexit in the background
Against the “Auld Enemy” (old enemy), Scotland will also and above all have to perform in order to remain envied in this Euro, which could come to an end in the event of further disappointment. Especially since in addition to England, Wales (semi-finalist in 2016) is also in the process of qualifying for the next round. What remains a little more in the shadow of its neighbors in the United Kingdom. A territory that is regularly discussed to leave since the Brexit voted in 2016 and entered into force at the beginning of the year, when 62% of Scots had expressed their desire to remain in the European Union during the vote. And this two years after the last referundum on the independence of the country, where the "no" had won with 55.3% of the votes.
A first vote calling into question the union of the crowns dating from 1707, which could give birth to a new one since the clear victory of the Independentists of the Scottish National Party (SNP) of Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon during the legislative elections in early May. The latter took the opportunity to legitimize its promise to organize a new self-determination ballot. A ballot that can legally be refused by the English Parliament. And like this Friday in London, where the "Tartan Army" will face an opponent much better equipped even if it records the return of Arsenal defender Kieran Trippier, Scotland will not leave with the favor of the forecasts. On the meadow as in politics.