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Scotland national football team
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The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872. Although a constituent country of the United Kingdom, Scotland maintains its own national side that competes in all major professional tournaments, with the exception of the Olympics as Scotland is not a member of the International Olympic Committee. The majority of Scotland's home matches are held at the national stadium, Hampden Park, with friendlies sometimes hosted at club stadiums.
Scotland have qualified for the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Football Championship several times, but have never progressed beyond the first stage of a tournament. The team have achieved some noteworthy results, however, such as beating the 1966 FIFA World Cup winners England 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in 1967. Archie Gemmill scored what has been described as one of the greatest World Cup goals ever[4] in a 3–2 win during the 1978 World Cup against Holland, who reached the final of the tournament. In their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 2008, Scotland defeated 2006 World Cup runners-up France 1–0 in both fixtures.
Scotland's supporters are collectively known as the Tartan Army. Their traditional rivals are England,[5] who they played annually from 1872 until 1989, but there have only been three senior level fixtures since then. The last match between the sides was the second leg of a Euro 2000 qualifying play-off at Wembley in 1999, which Scotland won 1–0.[6]
History
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Early history
Scotland are the oldest national football team in the world, alongside England.[7] The two countries contested the first ever international football match, at Hamilton Crescent in Partick, Scotland on 30 November 1872. The match ended in a goalless draw.[8] All eleven players who represented Scotland that day played for Glasgow amateur club Queen's Park.[7] Over the next forty years, Scotland played matches exclusively against the other three Home nations—England, Wales and Ireland. The British Home Championship began in 1883, making these games competitive. The encounters against England were particularly fierce and a rivalry quickly developed.[5]
A noteworthy victory for Scotland before the Second World War was the 5–1 victory over England in 1928, which led to that Scotland side being known as the Wembley Wizards. Scotland won the British Home Championship outright on 24 occasions, and shared the title 17 times with at least one other team.[9][10] In 1929, Scotland played their first match outside the British Isles, beating Norway 7–3 in Bergen.[11] Scotland continued to contest regular friendly matches against European opposition and enjoyed wins against Germany and France before losing to the Austrian Wunderteam and Italy in 1931.[11]
1950s and 1960s
The national team first competed at the FIFA World Cup in the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. The Home Nations did not enter the three World Cups before the Second World War because they were not members of FIFA. Scotland qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, but the SFA declined to participate because the team had not won the 1950 British Home Championship.
In the 1954 World Cup, Scotland suffered a 1–0 defeat against Austria and a 7–0 defeat by Uruguay.[12] It was also in 1954 that Scotland appointed their first team manager, Andy Beattie, but he resigned before the game against Uruguay.[13]
Scotland qualified for the 1958 FIFA World Cup and drew their first game against Yugoslavia 1–1, but they then lost to Paraguay and France and went out at the first stage. Under the management of Ian McColl, Scotland enjoyed consecutive British Home Championship successes in 1962 and 1963.[10] Jock Stein, John Prentice and Malcolm MacDonald all had brief spells as manager before Bobby Brown was appointed in 1967.[14] Brown's first match as manager was against the newly crowned world champions England at Wembley Stadium. Despite being underdogs, Scotland won 3–2 thanks to goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog.[15] Having defeated the world champions on their own turf, the Scotland fans hailed their team as the unofficial world champions.[16]
Ormond and MacLeod
After Tommy Docherty's brief spell as manager, Willie Ormond was hired in 1973.[14] Ormond lost his first match in charge 5–0 to England, but recovered to steer Scotland to their first World Cup finals in 16 years in 1974. At the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany, Scotland were unbeaten but failed to progress beyond the group stages on goal difference. After beating Zaire, they drew with both Brazil and Yugoslavia, and went out because they had beaten Zaire by the smallest margin.[17]
Scotland appointed Ally MacLeod as manager in 1977 with qualification for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina far from assured.[14] The team made a strong start under MacLeod by winning the 1977 British Home Championship, largely thanks to a 2–1 victory over England at Wembley Stadium.[10] The Scotland fans invaded the pitch after the match, ripping up the turf and breaking a crossbar.[18][19] Scotland's good form continued as they secured qualification for the World Cup with victories over Czechoslovakia and Wales.[20]
During the build-up to the 1978 FIFA World Cup, MacLeod fuelled the hopes of the nation by stating that Scotland would come home with a medal.[4] As the squad left for the finals in Argentina, they were given an enthusiastic send off as they were paraded around a packed Hampden Park.[21] Thousands more fans lined the route to Prestwick Airport as the team set off for South America.[4] Scotland's first game was against Peru in Cordoba. Two spectacular goals by Teófilo Cubillas meant that the result was a 3–1 loss. The second game was a very disappointing 1–1 draw against Iran.[4] The disconsolate mood of the nation was reflected by footage of Ally MacLeod in the dugout with his head in his hands.[22]
After taking a single point from their opening two games, Scotland had to defeat Holland by three clear goals to progress.[23] Despite the Dutch taking the lead, Scotland fought back to win 3–2 with a goal from Kenny Dalglish and two from Archie Gemmill, the second of which is one of the most celebrated goals in Scotland's history;[4] Gemmill beat three Dutch defenders before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed into the net.[4][24] The victory was not sufficient to secure a place in the second round, however, as Scotland were eliminated on goal difference for the second successive World Cup.[23]
Stein and Ferguson
MacLeod resigned as manager shortly after the 1978 World Cup, with Jock Stein appointed as his replacement.[14] After failing to qualify for the 1980 European Championship,[25] Scotland qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup from a tough group including Sweden, Portugal, Israel and Northern Ireland, losing just one match in the process.[26] They beat New Zealand 5–2 in their first game at the World Cup, but lost 4–1 to a Brazil team containing Socrates, Zico, Eder and Falcao.[27] Scotland were eliminated on goal difference after a 2–2 draw with the Soviet Union.
Scotland qualified for their fourth successive World Cup in 1986 in traumatic circumstances. The squad went into their last qualification match against Wales needing a point to reach the tournament in Mexico. With only nine minutes remaining and Wales leading, Scotland were awarded a penalty kick which was calmly scored by Davie Cooper.[28] However, as the players and fans celebrated, news began to circulate that Stein had suffered a fatal heart attack.[28] Alex Ferguson was handed the role of manager for the World Cup,[14] but Scotland were eliminated from the tournament with just one point from their three matches, a goalless draw with Uruguay.[29]
Roxburgh and Brown
Scotland qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup in 1990 by finishing second in their qualifying group, beating out France.[30] Scotland were drawn in a group with Costa Rica, Sweden, and Brazil, but the Scots lost 1–0 to Costa Rica.[31] While they recovered to beat Sweden 2–1 in their second game, they lost to Brazil in their third match 1–0 and were once again eliminated after the first round.[31]
By a narrow margin, Scotland qualified for the UEFA European Football Championship for the first time in 1992.[32] A 1–0 defeat to Romania away from home left qualification dependent upon other results, but a 1–1 draw between Bulgaria and Romania in the final group match saw Scotland squeeze through.[33] Despite playing well in matches against the Netherlands and Germany and a fine win against the CIS, the team was knocked out at the group stage.[33] Scotland failed to qualify, however, for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The team finished fourth in their qualifying group behind Italy, Switzerland and Portugal. When it became clear that Scotland could not qualify, Andy Roxburgh resigned from his position as team manager.[34]
New manager Craig Brown successfully guided Scotland to the 1996 European Championship tournament.[34] The first game against the Netherlands ended 0–0, raising morale ahead of a much anticipated game against England at Wembley Stadium.[34] Gary McAllister missed a penalty kick and a world-class goal by Paul Gascoigne led to a 2–0 defeat. Scotland recovered to beat Switzerland 1–0. The score in the other match meant Scotland were briefly in a position to qualify, but a late goal for Holland meant that the team were once again knocked out on goal difference.[34]
Brown again guided Scotland to qualification for a major tournament in 1998, and Scotland were drawn against Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup.[35] John Collins equalised from the penalty spot to level the score at 1–1, but a Tom Boyd own goal led to a 2–1 defeat. Scotland drew their next game 1–1 with Norway in Bordeaux,[36] but the final match against Morocco ended in an embarrassing 3–0 defeat.[34]
During the qualification for the 2000 European Championship, Scotland faced England in a two-legged playoff nicknamed the "Battle of Britain" by the media.[37] Scotland won the second match 1–0, but lost the tie 2–1 on aggregate.[37] Scotland failed to qualify for the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in their qualifying group behind Croatia and Belgium.[34] This second successive failure to qualify prompted Brown to resign from his position after the final qualifying match.[34]
Decline under Vogts
The Scottish Football Association appointed former Germany manager Berti Vogts as manager in 2002.[38] Scotland performed badly under Vogts and suffered a series of heavy defeats, including 6–0 to Holland, 5–0 to France, 4–0 to Wales, 4–1 to South Korea and 3–0 to Hungary, which caused the team to drop to a record low in the FIFA World Rankings.[39] Vogts announced his resignation in 2004,[40] blaming the hostile media for his departure.[41]
Recovery under Smith and McLeish
Former Rangers and Everton manager, Walter Smith was brought in as manager in the wake of Vogts' departure. Smith secured victories against Bulgaria, Norway, the Faroe Islands and most notably against France in a far more productive period,[42] with Scotland rising up the FIFA Rankings. The Scottish players also lifted their first trophy in years after winning the Kirin Cup in Japan.[43] Scotland failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany with a 3–4–3 win–draw–loss record, finishing third in their group behind Italy and Norway.
Smith left the national side in early 2007 to return to club football, with Scotland leading their Euro 2008 qualification group largely thanks to a 1–0 win against France at Hampden.[44] Alex McLeish was named as Smith's successor and Scotland's twentieth manager.[45] McLeish's first match in charge was a 2008 European Championship qualifying match against Georgia which was won 2–1 by Scotland, making McLeish only the third Scotland manager to win his first match in charge.[46] McLeish then guided Scotland to wins against the Faroe Islands, Lithuania, France and Ukraine before defeats to Georgia and Italy ended their chances of qualification.[47] These overall improved results, particularly the wins against France, lifted Scotland into the top 20 in the FIFA rankings for the first time since their conception in the mid 1990s. Scotland's best ranking was 13th in October 2007.
Burley
After the narrow failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Alex McLeish resigned the managerial position to join Birmingham City.[48] Scotland's improved results in the last two campaigns meant the team were seeded second for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and they were drawn with Holland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland.[49] Southampton manager George Burley was hired as the new manager, but the team failed to win three preparatory friendlies against Croatia, Czech Republic and Northern Ireland. Burley came in for criticism from the media after the team lost their first qualifier against Macedonia,[50] but they recovered to win 2–1 in Iceland.[51]
World Cup record
Scotland have played at eight World Cup Finals,[36] including five consecutive tournaments from 1974 to 1990. During the preparations for the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament, FIFA ruled that all its member associations must provide "broken-time" payments to cover the expenses of players from their country who participated. In response to what they considered to be unacceptable interference, the football associations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales held a meeting at which they agreed to resign from FIFA.[52] As a result, Scotland did not compete in the three interwar World Cup competitions. The Scottish Football Association did not rejoin FIFA as a permanent member until 1946.[53]
Competion
Scotland have never advanced beyond the first round of the finals competition. They have missed out on progressing to the second round three times on goal difference: in 1974, when Brazil edged them out;[17] in 1978, when the Netherlands progressed;[23] and in 1982, when the USSR went through.[27] Although Scotland have played at eight finals tournaments, they have actually qualified on nine occasions. The Scottish Football Association declined to participate in 1950 as Scotland were not the British champions.[54]
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF[55] |
GA[56] |
| 1930–1938 |
Did not enter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1950 |
Withdrew[54] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1954 |
Round 1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
| 1958 |
Round 1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
| 1962–1970 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1974 |
Round 1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
| 1978 |
Round 1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
| 1982 |
Round 1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
8 |
| 1986 |
Round 1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| 1990 |
Round 1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| 1994 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1998 |
Round 1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
| 2002–2006 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Totals |
23 |
4 |
7 |
12 |
25 |
41 |
European Championship record
Scotland have qualified for two European Championships but have failed to advance beyond the first round on both occasions, most recently at the 1996 European Championship, where the Netherlands progressed on goals scored.[57]
Stadium
- See also: Hampden Park and List of host grounds of Scotland home international football matches
Hampden Park in Glasgow is the traditional home of the Scotland team and is described by the Scottish Football Association as the National Stadium.[58] The present stadium, which has a 52,000 capacity, is one of several stadiums to have used the name. Hampden and its predecessors have hosted international matches since 1878. The attendance record of 149,415 was set by the Scotland v England match in 1937.[59] Hampden is one of only two Scottish football stadiums to receive a UEFA 5–star rating.[60]
Some friendly matches are played at smaller venues, such as when Scotland played South Africa at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen during August 2007. Easter Road Stadium in Edinburgh has hosted four friendly matches since 1998. Other stadiums were also used while Hampden was being redeveloped during the late 1990s. Celtic Park, Pittodrie, Ibrox Stadium and Rugby Park all hosted matches during the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign,[61] while Tynecastle Stadium,[62] Pittodrie,[63] Celtic Park and Ibrox were used for Euro 2000 qualifying matches.
Since the last redevelopment to Hampden was completed in 1999, Scotland have played all but one of their competitive matches there. The exception to this rule was when Celtic Park hosted the first Euro 2008 qualification match against the Faroe Islands. Celtic Park was used because the fixtures were decided by a random draw and Hampden had already been booked for a Robbie Williams concert on the same date.[64]
Media coverage
Scotland's home matches are presently covered by the pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports.[65] Extended highlights of every Scotland home international are shown on terrestrial television by BBC Sport Scotland.[66] Television rights to away games vary, although the rights to all of Scotland's away matches in qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup are held by Setanta Sports, another pay-TV broadcaster.[65] This has come in for criticism from the Scottish Government, who have argued that Scotland's competitive games should be included in the list of events which can only be broadcast on free-to-air television.[65][67]
BBC Sport Scotland,[65] STV, Sky Sports[68], and Five[69] are among other networks that have previously shown live away fixtures. All matches are broadcast with full commentary on BBC Radio Scotland and, when schedules allow, BBC Radio 5 Live also.[70]
In Australia, Scotland's national football team home games and selected away games are broadcast by Setanta Sports Australia.[71]
Colours
Scotland traditionally wear dark blue shirts with white shorts and dark blue socks, the colours of the Queens Park team who represented Scotland in the first international.[7] The shirt is embroidered with a crest based upon the lion rampant of the Royal Standard of Scotland. The current change kit is all white with a pastel blue saltire across the chest. Another style often used by Scotland comprises blue shirts, white shorts and red socks. Change colours vary, but are most commonly white or yellow shirts with blue shorts.[72] From 1994–96 a tartan kit was used.[73] The current version of the crest includes the Scottish flag and a background of thistles, representing the national flower of Scotland, in addition to the lion rampant.
Scotland have not always played in dark blue; on a number of occasions between 1881 and 1951 they played in the primrose and pink racing colours of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery. A former Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery was an influential figure in Scottish football, serving as honorary President of the Scottish Football Association and Edinburgh team Hearts. His colours were used most frequently in the first decade of the twentieth century, but were discontinued in 1909. The colours were briefly reprised in 1949, and were last used against France in 1951. In 1900, when Scotland defeated England 4–1. Lord Rosebery remarked, "I have never seen my colours so well sported since Ladas won the Derby".[74]
Since 2005, the SFA have supported the use of Scots Gaelic on the national team's strip in recognition of the language's revival in Scotland.[75]
Supporters
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Main article: Tartan Army
The Tartan Army in Milan, Italy
Scotland fans are collectively known as the Tartan Army. During the 1970s, Scotland fans became notorious for their hooliganism, particularly after they invaded the Wembley pitch and destroyed the goalposts after the England v Scotland match in 1977.[76][77] Since then, the Tartan Army have won awards from UEFA for their combination of vocal support, friendly nature and charity work.[78][79] The Tartan Army have been awarded a Fair Play prize by the Belgian Olympic Committee[80] and were named as the best supporters during the 1992 European Championship.[80] The fans were also presented with a trophy for non-violence in sport and were voted by journalists to be the best supporters for their sense of fair play and sporting spirit at the 1998 World Cup in France.[81]
Players
- See also: List of Scotland international footballers
Current squad
The following players have been selected for the squad to play Norway on 11 October 2008.[82]
Other recent players
The following players are not in the current squad, but have been selected to play for Scotland since 1 November 2007.
- ISL Most recent cap v. Iceland, 10 September 2008
- NIR Most recent cap v. Northern Ireland, 20 August 2008
- CZE Most recent cap v. Czech Republic, 30 May 2008
- CRO Most recent cap v. Croatia, 26 March 2008
- ITA Most recent cap v. Italy, 17 November 2007
Honoured players
The Scottish Football Association operates a roll of honour for every player who has made more than 50 appearances for Scotland.[85] As of 2008, there are 25 members of this roll, with David Weir the most recent addition to the list.[85] The qualifying mark of 50 appearances means that many notable Scotland players including Jim Baxter, Hughie Gallacher, John Greig, Jimmy Johnstone, Billy McNeill, Bobby Murdoch and Lawrie Reilly are not on the roll of honour.
The Scottish Football Museum operates a hall of fame which is open to players and managers involved in Scottish football, meaning that membership is not restricted to people who have played for Scotland. Willie Bauld, Eric Caldow, Jimmy Cowan, Alan Hansen, Ally McCoist, Rose Reilly, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan and Eddie Turnbull were inducted in 2007.[86] Sportscotland operates the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, which has inducted some footballers.
Managers
From 1872 to 1954 and 1954 to 1958 the Scotland national team was appointed by a selection committee. Andy Beattie was manager for six matches in 1954 when Scotland competed at their first World Cup. After the tournament the selection committee resumed their duties, continuing until the appointment of Matt Busby in 1958.[87]
Statistically the most successful manager was Alex McLeish, who won seven of the ten games he took charge of. Discounting managers who have managed less than ten games, the least successful manager was Berti Vogts, who only won eight out of 31 games. As of September 2008, the current manager is George Burley, who was appointed on 23 January 2008 after leaving English Championship club Southampton.[88]
| Name |
Scotland career |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Win % |
Points per game[89] |
 Selection committee |
1872–1954
1954–1958 |
254 |
148 |
48 |
58 |
58.27 |
1.94 |
| Beattie, AndyAndy Beattie |
1954 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
33.33 |
1.17 |
| Walker, DawsonDawson Walker[90] |
1958 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
16.66 |
0.83 |
| Busby, MattMatt Busby |
1958 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
50.00 |
2.00 |
| Beattie, AndyAndy Beattie |
1959–1960 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
36.36 |
1.36 |
| McColl, IanIan McColl |
1960–1965 |
28 |
17 |
3 |
8 |
60.71 |
1.93 |
| Stein, JockJock Stein |
1965–1966 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
42.86 |
1.43 |
| Prentice, JohnJohn Prentice |
1966 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0.00 |
0.25 |
| MacDonald, MalcolmMalcolm MacDonald |
1966–1967 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
50.00 |
2.00 |
| | | |
