Scots nerves on edge for big game

By Colin Moffat
BBC Sport at Hampden

The Tartan Army is ready to give Scotland its full backing

We wailed and gnashed with disappointment when Scotland crashed out of the 1998 World Cup after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Morocco.

But we were used to near things and hard luck stories at football's major tournaments.

Sadly, the last nine years has seen Scots grow accustomed to missing out on the big parties altogether.

Now a new generation of players has the chance to remedy that and grab a place at next year's European Championship finals.

The task is straightforward. Win the final qualifying match at Hampden and it's mission accomplished.

There is, however, the small matter of the opposition; Italy - campioni del mondo.

The game was sold out in a matter of hours and the national stadium could easily have been filled another five times over.

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Bars are already full to bursting, while the capacity of couches up and down the country will be put to the test as friends gather to cheer on Alex McLeish's side.

It may be cold and grey in Glasgow, but the atmosphere in the city is warming up nicely.

Saltires flutter from every corner and no amount of police will be able to enforce the law prohibiting alcohol consumption in public.

The taxi driver who dropped me off at the ground said the city centre was "bouncing" and the big screen party at Glasgow Green is already in full swing.

This game has captured the imagination of the nation.

Even the massed ranks of journalists arriving early at Hampden are showing signs of nerves.

Often coolly detached from the action, some can't even manage more than one pre-match pie.

Let's hope our European cousins are treated to the sight of a lycra-clad Chick Young puffing his way towards the Alps next summer

Sky Sport's David Tanner was asking if anyone had some horse tranquilisers to calm him down before going on air.

And BBC Scotland's own Chick Young said: "I just wish we could hurry up and get it over with. Whatever the result."

It's worth remembering that, many months ago, Mr Young promised to cycle all the way to the tournament in Austria and Switzerland if Scotland make it.

Football fans are a notoriously superstitious bunch.

I know guys who are still trying to squeeze into the tartan y-fronts they were wearing when Archie Gemmill scored against Holland at the 1978 World Cup.

The Italians, therefore, will not be too happy that the game is being played at 1700 hours on the 17th day of the month.

Some Alitalia planes have no row 17, while several Italian hotels have no room 17.

And the 17th curve at the Cesana bobsled run at last year's Winter Olympics in Turin was "Senza Nome" - without a name.

But should we be clutching at such straws?

We'll snatch any good fortune going, but we can also take confidence from the way Scotland have performed during this campaign.

World Cup runners-up France have been beaten twice on the way to eight wins from our 11 matches so far.

Sure, we're playing the world champions. But, in a few hours, Hampden will erupt with a noise incredible enough to shake even the most seasoned Italian stars and the Scottish players are sure to give it everything they've got.

All 11 men in dark blue will have to turn in the performances of their lives if they are to stand a chance.

So keep everything crossed and let's hope our European cousins are treated to the sight of a lycra-clad Chick Young puffing his way towards the Alps next summer.