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Scots head back to Wembley for May date with the Auld Enemy
Last updated at 21:22pm on 01.12.07England and Scotland have pencilled in Wednesday, May 28, as the date to revive one of football's oldest rivalries at Wembley.
The prospect of a money-spinning friendly has increased considerably since England were, like the Scots, eliminated from the 2008 European Championship, and both associations are keen to generate extra revenue.
Scotland fans wreck Wembley
SFA chief executive Gordon Smith discussed the issue with not only his opposite number, Brian Barwick, but also the English FA's commercial team during last weekend's trip to the World Cup draw in South Africa.
Smith's profile down south has helped the goodwill on both sides to press for a firm plan and those initial talks went well. It was agreed that the first match between the old rivals since the Euro 2000 qualifying play-off in November 1999 would be important for lifting the gloom of having no British side in a major tournament.
Smith is waiting on confirmation of a date before negotiations can commence on financial issues such as a broadcasting deal and the distribution of gate receipts. Any resolution could include a pact for a return match at Hampden.
As he starts the hunt to replace Alex McLeish, Smith is keen to hand the new national coach a spring schedule culminating in a London showpiece.
Smith said: 'We don't have a manager to do it, so I'm looking at games. I would like to take a game in March and probably May.
'There's a friendly date in February, but that might be a get-together provided we have someone else in. If we get an invitation for a game, we might still arrange it.
'There's no point in waiting for the manager to come in because we could be waiting until next year for that, and by then, to try to get a good friendly match arranged would be practically impossible.'
Wembley stages the FA Cup Final on Saturday, May 17, and the Coca-Cola Football League play-offs the following Saturday — the likely date for the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden — and the Sunday and Monday. That makes Wednesday, May 28, available to host Scotland.
England had no interest in contesting the Celtic Cup, the revamped home international series, but Scotland are likely to be involved in 2009 if TV deals and sponsorship can be arranged.
Reader views (9)
Not a great idea, the only time Scotland should play England is in competitive matches i.e when we have to - not friendlies. It is a recipe for trouble as (some) of the English fans at the last two games in 1999 (play offs) in Glasgow and London were intent on causing trouble and actually attacked the Scotland fans in Trafalgar Square before and after the game - not to mention the problems they caused in Glasgow.
I would like to clarify that I don't include the majority of the English fans in the above category but just the lunatic few, however that is all it would take
- John Lyons, Sittingbourne, Kent
What a stupid idea! This may have been a good thing in the days before New Labour's constitutional vandalism but it isn't now. It will merely stir-up tensions which the media will latch-upon. I was glad that both teams failed to qualify as we could have had a year or so without this rubbish but now we won't.
- Barry, Brentwood, Essex
Gutted - I was hoping for a top ten team to play.
- Scott Findlater, Dumfries, Scotland
Will sadly be used as an excuse for English to seek revenge for 1977.
- Hoodi Wilson, Motherwell
Scotland fans "wreck" Wembley. That's a bit harsh, makes us look like hooligans.
- Laura, Glasgow
Can we not play someone who will give us a good game?
- William, Glasgow, Scotland
Can think of hundreds more attractive and challenging opponents than this mob, a rubbish away trip.
- Bz, Embra, Scotland
You'd think it was Scotland had the hooligan element given the use of this picture - which incidentally not a violent incident.
- Craig, Scotland
Wemberleeee Wemberleeee was the finest pitch in Europe till we took it all away...WEMBERLEEE
- Stuuu, Perth, Scotland
