Scotland's dark cloud of failing to qualify for the 2008 European football championships might yet have a silver lining as Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond yesterday joined forces to support reviving the home international tournament next summer.
England's defeat at the hands of Croatia on Wednesday means that all four home nations, including Wales and Northern Ireland, will have next summer off while their European counterparts battle it out in Austria and Switzerland. The answer? Resurrect, after an absence of 24 years, the home internationals with Scotland pitting skills against the auld enemy.
After the embarrassment at a rain-soaked Wembley, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment that not a single UK team would now take part in the Euro contest, saying: "In some cases, that's down to bad luck; in some, it's bad results. We have the Olympics to look forward to next summer. I know every football fan in Britain was looking forward to a summer of football next year, so it's very disappointing."
However, he went on: "I know some people have called for a one-off revival next year of the home internationals. That's something for the football associations and clubs to consider. I would certainly enjoy that. I have got great memories from the 60s and 70s. But that is a decision for the football associations and clubs."
While political relations between London and Edinburgh might from time to time drop below zero, Alex Salmond last night warmed to the idea of reviving the home internationals.
A source close to the First Minister told The Herald: "He would definitely support the idea. He is a big football fan. All of Scotland would really like to see us taking on England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a window of opportunity given the unfortunate development that none of the home sides has qualified for Europe."
At Holyrood, Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservative deputy leader, tabled a motion calling for a home international contest next summer.
He said: "The fans of each home nation gave a strong backing to their respective team throughout qualifying campaigns and they deserve to see their teams in an international tournament. A home nations football championship next summer would be a fantastic spectacle."
The last home tournament took place in 1984. The series was scrapped partly due to fixture congestion, a drop in public interest and fan violence.
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