Scotland 2 England 2
When Saturday Comes|August 2017

The original international fixture has diminished in stature over the years and this time – just two days after a general election and amid heightened security – there is little bile between rivals at Hampden as the hosts try to salvage their hopes of, finally, reaching another World Cup.

Alex Anderson
Scotland 2 England 2

The sun, like most other things, isn’t kind to the Gorbals. More demolished than gentrified, the area always paid highly for Glasgow’s “Engine room of the Empire” status but isn’t the only reduced icon south of the Clyde, surviving on myths and raised prices. I’m driving towards the ground and fixture responsible for Europe’s biggest-ever football crowd. Wembley may have the profile and Cardiff had last weekend’s Champions League final but Hampden, with almost every UEFA attendance record – including nearly 150,000 for that 1937 Scotland v England game – has people power like nowhere else in Britain. Or it had.

Gordon Strachan’s on my car radio with an anecdote about how his young grandson thinks that Leigh Griffiths, rather than Kenny Dalglish, is the greatest Scottish player. Strachan protects arguably our poorest ever squad with scalding defensiveness. He barely smiled after last year’s refreshingly comfortable Group F opener in Malta, then described the risible home draw with Lithuania as a great performance. For many it’s getting old. The only home nation not at Euro 2016; losing 3-0 in our two last away games this campaign: Scotland lie fourth, six points off leaders England.

Next summer marks an unprecedented 20 years since Scotland reached a tournament. One more loss means elimination and Strachan’s willing resignation. The most depressing aspect of November’s Wembley trouncing was that we actually played well. Only Strachan, pupil of Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson, commands enough respect to inspire a pool of English Premier League make weights, English Football League squad players and champions from the one-team Scottish Premiership. He just needs one major win to produce real momentum. (Meanwhile, England, as usual, are wasted on the English. Thirty-four games unbeaten in qualifying and no goals conceded in Group F.)

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2017 من When Saturday Comes.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2017 من When Saturday Comes.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WHEN SATURDAY COMES مشاهدة الكل
Pirate Transmission
When Saturday Comes

Pirate Transmission

Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Scandi Drama
When Saturday Comes

Scandi Drama

Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Pot Of Gold
When Saturday Comes

Pot Of Gold

A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Digital Divide
When Saturday Comes

Digital Divide

From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2019
Haringey Ladder
When Saturday Comes

Haringey Ladder

The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
When Saturday Comes

Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0

Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2019
Room With A View
When Saturday Comes

Room With A View

Hampden Park

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Not In The Script
When Saturday Comes

Not In The Script

ARSENAL FILM

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Out Of Place...
When Saturday Comes

Out Of Place...

After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Uncomfortable Truth
When Saturday Comes

Uncomfortable Truth

At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2017