England vs Scotland: inside the intense rivalry

England v Scotland is the fiercest football feud of all. Robbie Smith sizes up the sides
Evening Standard comp

The oldest grudge match in football is back. The trains have been packed out for the past week and the Tartan Army is in town. All 20,000 of them. They’re here for a footballing rivalry that goes back to 1870. Yes, it’s England versus Scotland.

The two countries will meet on the hallowed Wembley turf tonight, bringing back memories of their famous European Championship clash a quarter of a century ago. And the intensity of the rivalry is also mirrored off the field. Can you imagine a pair of politicians less likely to share a drink together than Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson?

Back in 1996, Paul Gascoigne scored that wonder goal and treated the Wembley crowd to the “dentist’s chair” water bottle celebration. Scotland were dumped out at the group stages.

In the 2021 tournament, Scotland also face being dumped out at the group stages — they badly need a result tonight, although England are the firm favourites.

And while Gazza is long gone, his heir-apparent (or should that be hair-apparent?), the outrageously talented Phil Foden is on hand. Foden, who has his hair in an imitation silver-blonde crop, wasn’t born until nearly four years after that 1996 tournament. But that’s the thing about this match — history matters.

So here’s your guide to what to know.

The teams’ leading lights

England’s cup of attacking riches over runneth, for once. The Three Lions have a clutch of electrifying stars, from Champions League winner Mason Mount to Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Foden and Marcus Rashford, who is not just an inspiring social campaigner but a pacey forward.

Scotland’s two stand out stars are both, believe it or not, left-backs. Andy Robertson, Scotland’s captain and a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool, has a wand of a left foot. One well-timed cross could be all it takes this evening. Kieran Tierney, swashbuckling and defensively solid, was Arsenal’s standout player in an otherwise forgettable season.

Top talent: England’s Marcus Rashford
PA

Point to prove

Nobody is in more need of redemption than poor David Marshall, the Scottish goalkeeper who conceded against the Czech Republic from 54 yards and became an instant online meme. He will be hoping for a few superman-style saves tonight. For the English, Kane needs a boost. He looked a touch off the pace on Sunday. He will be keen to win the Golden Boot, the award for the most goals in the tournament. Ominous.

Owners look away now

A number of rival players share the same clubs. Club owners will want to look away as their prize assets crunch into each other’s very, very valuable ankles. Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson, among others, will be going toe-to-toe. Henderson has already admitted he has not spoken a word to Robertson in the run up to today. Country over club.

England v Croatia - UEFA Euro 2020 - Group D - Wembley Stadium
Gareth Southgate
PA

Managers — Gareth Southgate v Steve Clarke

Southgate is a blend of sensitivity, steel and sharp suits. He’s a quiet icon — and a man whose sartorial quirks once had waistcoats (yes, waistcoats) selling like hot cakes. That garment is with us no longer, but on Sunday Southgate did at least don a jazzy (and skinny) tie. Small mercies.

Scotland’s Steve Clarke is determined, understated and solid. Once beloved by Scottish fans for realising the potential of their mini golden-generation, he badly needs a result after the bitter disappointment of the 2-0 loss against the Czech Republic. Clarke sports a smart suit and a neatly-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard. Think serious and sober and no songs — yet.

The benchmark is the reworking of Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again by England fans for their hero Gareth Southgate at the 2018 World Cup. But success means songs, so a victory for the men in blue today could set Scottish wordsmiths to work on their very own Steve Clarke banger. Perhaps.

Steve Clarke
AFP via Getty Images

National Anthems

Speaking of tunes, in the battle of the anthems, God Save the Queen v Flower of Scotland, there’s only one winner. Sadly the English national anthem is like English teams of old: it comes off terribly against any half-decent opposition. Even if you’re allergic to bagpipes, rolling drumming and rousing vocals notes, it beats our dirge all day long. This one is boys against men.

PA

Fans

The Tartan Army is an award-winning bunch whose charitable endeavours have given them a “worldwide reputation” (a Scottish First Minister once claimed). They even have an official Tartan Army tartan.

But it’s not all sweetness and light — especially when God Save the Queen is involved. A decade ago they booed Lichtenstein because their national anthem uses the same tune. Poor old Lichtenstein. The Tartan Army are also devotees of ABE, i.e. Anyone-But-England. Think: my enemy’s enemy is my friend.

Scottish supporters are likely to be disappointed tonight by at least two things: the weather and the lack of a dedicated fanzone. While today’s torrential rain might make some soggy Scots feel at home, the pub situation is distinctly tricky. They are mostly booked out. The Scottish Stores near King’s Cross tell me they’ve had to turn away 500 customers. Perhaps it’s because (they claim) they’re the only pub in London that will have Tennent’s on tap. Or maybe it’s the name. Probably the name.

Any Scottish Lairds who are making the trip down south might prefer the more refined atmosphere of Belgravia’s Caledonian Club. There, I’m informed, members can watch the football in the library, where they will be served haggis and have the full complement of drinks on offer. If it’s a good day, expect the bar’s finest whiskies to be raided. Or, come to think of it, also if it’s a bad day.

England fans, of course, used to be a byword for hooliganism. Thankfully those days have passed — mostly. A discreditable squabble about booing their own players appears to have been lost by the booers — intemperate interjections of the Home Secretary notwithstanding — and there’s a groundswell of positivity about this young England squad that makes the nation smile.

The players are thoughtful, talented and are reimagining patriotism (and Englishness) for the 21st century. Much to cheer.

PA

The record

England have the edge. They haven’t lost to Scotland this century. Their overall record is played 114, won 48 and lost 41. The last match between the two teams was a 2-2 draw in Glasgow in 2017.

Tonight England are favourites while Scotland have it all to play for after losing their first match. But all it takes is one exquisite cross…

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in