England vs. Scotland: preview, predictions and possible starting XIs
Raheem Sterling says the huge Euro 2020 clash at Wembley is ‘just another game’
England vs. Scotland is the oldest rivalry in world football, says Bleacher Report. In the first meeting between the two nations, which is recognised by Fifa as the sport’s first-ever international, Scotland took on England at the West of Scotland Cricket ground at Hamilton Crescent in Partick. The match ended in a 0-0 draw and was played in front of 4,000 spectators.
Friday’s Euro 2020 group D fixture at Wembley (8pm, live on ITV) will see the capacity limited to just 22,500 fans because of Covid regulations. However, despite the smaller crowd, the rivalry off the pitch could be as entertaining as the one on it as both sets of supporters tune up to belt out their favourite terrace anthems.
With football (sort-of) coming home, England fans will hope that Three Lions will inspire their team to victory. But for the Tartan Army, a bit of disco is the choice genre.
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Seventies hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara has become Scotland’s unofficial football anthem, Metro says. Scottish fans have embraced the disco track as their own – and with 3,000 expected at Wembley, you’ll likely hear it ringing out in the stadium.
Scotland can thank Aberdeen cult hero Andrew Considine for Yes Sir, I Can Boogie being adopted as their unofficial national anthem, The Daily Telegraph reports.
It was originally adapted by fans as a tribute to Considine after the 33-year-old famously danced to the song on his stag do. Then following the play-off win in Serbia, the Scottish team celebrations went viral after a video showed them “bouncing around the dressing room” to Baccara’s hit.
What’s on the stadium playlist?
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The English Football Association has picked the Baddiel, Skinner and Lightning Seeds classic Three Lions for their pre-match Wembley playlist at the Euros, the Daily Mail reports.
Gareth Southgate and his team will also hear New Order’s World in Motion, which the Mail says is “arguably the finest football song of them all”, and Fat Les’s Vindaloo.
For Scotland’s games at Hampden Park Yes Sir, I Can Boogie is a must-play. The Scottish FA have also chosen Runrig’s Celtic classic Loch Lomond, Gala’s Freed From Desire and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers.
Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.
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