Scotland national football team

Scotland are the oldest national football team in the world, alongside England. The two countries competed against each other in the first ever international football match, at Hamilton Crescent in Partick, Scotland on 30 November 1872.^[2] Over the next forty years, Scotland played matches exclusively against the other three Home nations - England, Wales and at that time a unified Ireland. The British Home Championship began in 1883, making these games competitive. The championship continued until 1984.

In 1929, Scotland played their first match outside Britain and Ireland, beating Norway 7-3 in Bergen. Scotland continued to contest regular friendly matches against European opposition and enjoyed wins against Germany, the Netherlands and France before losing to Austria and Italy in 1931.

The national team did not compete at the FIFA World Cup until 1954, when Scotland suffered defeats against Austria and Uruguay, and failed to progress beyond the first round. It was also in 1954 that Scotland appointed their first ever team manager, Andy Beattie, but he resigned after the failure of that years World Cup.

Under the management of Ian McColl, Scotland enjoyed consecutive British Home Championship successes in 1962 and 1963. Jock Stein, John Prentice and Malcolm MacDonald all had brief spells as manager before Bobby Brown was appointed in 1967. Brown's first match as manager was a daunting encounter against newly crowned world champions England at Wembley Stadium. Despite being underdogs, Scotland emerged triumphant after a 3-2 victory, with goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog. Scotland winger Jim Baxter, famously, played "Keepie uppie" during the game as he tormented the English players and fans alike by juggling the ball at walking pace. After the result, rapturous Scotland fans jovially heralded their team as the "Unofficial Football World Champions". This joke ultimately led to the conception of the Unofficial Football World Championships.^[5]

The 1970's are generally considered to be the heydays of the Scotland national team. After Tommy Docherty's brief spell as manager between 1971 and 1972, Willie Ormond was hired in 1973. Despite losing his first match in charge, Ormond recovered to steer Scotland to their first World Cup finals in 16 years. At the finals in West Germany, Scotland remained unbeaten but failed to progress beyond the group stages on goal difference after beating Zaire and drawing with Brazil and Yugoslavia.

Scotland appointed Ally MacLeod as manager in 1977 with qualification for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina far from assured. MacLeod made a strong start and won the 1977 British Home Championship after beating England at Wembley Stadium, after which Scotland fans infamously invaded the pitch, ripping up the turf and breaking a crossbar. Scotland continued to play impressively under MacLeod and the team secured qualification for the World Cup with victories over Czechoslovakia and Wales.

During the build-up to the World Cup, MacLeod had fuelled the hopes of the nation by stating that Scotland would come home with a medal. As the squad left for the finals in Argentina, they were given a rapturous send off as they were paraded around a packed Hampden Park. Thousands more fans lined the route to Prestwick Airport as the team set off for South America.

Scotland opened up their World Cup campaign against Peru. MacLeod's bold prediction appeared to be justified as a Joe Jordan goal put Scotland 1-0 up after just 14 minutes. Scotland looked even better when they were awarded a penalty kick. However Don Masson spurned the chance to put them two up and Peru were level by half-time. After the break Peru took control of the match. A late second half double from Teófilo Cubillas condemned Scotland to a 3-1 defeat.

Scotland again took the lead in their second match against Iran but a 60th minute equaliser from Iraj Danaeifard saw Scotland's World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The disconsolate and shell-shocked mood of the nation was reflected by footage of Ally MacLeod in the dugout with his head in his hands.

After taking just 1 point from their opening two games, Scotland had to defeat one of the tournament favourites, the Netherlands, by three clear goals. Despite the Dutch taking the lead, Scotland fought back to lead 3-1 with goals from Kenny Dalglish and a double from Archie Gemmill, the second of which is generally regarded as the best goal in Scotland's history as he beat three Dutch defenders before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed. The joy was short lived however, within three minutes the Dutch striker Johnny Rep had pulled a goal back and the match finished 3-2. Scotland bowed out of the tournament on goal difference for the second successive World Cup. MacLeod resigned as manager shorty after the tournament, with Jock Stein appointed as his replacement.

After failing to qualify for the 1980 European Championship, Stein set his sights on taking Scotland to their third successive World Cup finals. Scotland qualified from a tough group including Sweden, Portugal, Israel and Northern Ireland, losing just one match in the process. At the finals in Spain, Scotland, for the third successive World Cup, went out on goal difference.

Scotland qualified for their fourth successive World Cup in 1986. Scotland went into their last qualification match against Wales, needing a point to reach the tournament in Mexico. With only nine minutes remaining and Wales leading, Scotland were awarded a penalty kick which was calmly scored by Davie Cooper. However, as the players and fans celebrated, news began to circulate that Scotland manager Jock Stein had suffered a fatal heart attack.

After the death of Jock Stein, Alex Ferguson was handed the role of manager for the World Cup. The Scottish players performed badly and crashed out of the World Cup with just one point from their three matches, losing to Denmark and Germany and drawing with Uruguay.

Scotland made their UEFA European Championship debut in 1992. Despite playing well in matches against the Netherlands and Germany the team was knocked out at the group stage.

New manager Craig Brown successfully guided Scotland to the 1996 European Championship tournament where the team's first match was against the Dutch at Villa Park. The game ended 0-0, raising morale ahead of a much anticipated game against England to be played at Wembley Stadium. Scotland lost 2-0 with Paul Gascoigne scoring a wonder goal and Alan Shearer also netting. Gary McAllister missed a penalty kick to add to Scotland's woes. Scotland recovered to beat Switzerland 1-0 with Ally McCoist scoring but Scotland were once again knocked out on goal difference.

Scotland were drawn against Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup, taking to the field wearing kilts. John Collins equalised from the penalty spot to level the score 1-1 after Cesar Sampaio scored but a Tom Boyd own goal led to a defeat. Scotland went on to draw with Norway in Bordeaux with Craig Burley scoring.^[6] However the final match against Morocco ended in defeat and Scotland crashed out of the tournament.

The Scottish Football Association appointed former Germany manager Berti Vogts as the first foreigner to coach Scotland in 2002.^[7] Vogts' reign was disastrous and the team plummeted in the FIFA World Rankings.^[8] In 2004 Vogts announced his resignation,^[9] blaming the hostile media for his departure.^[10]

Former Rangers and Everton manager, Walter Smith was brought in as manager in the wake of Vogts' departure. Ally McCoist also joined the coaching staff. Smith secured victories against Bulgaria, Norway, the Faroe Islands and most notably against France.^[11] The Scottish players also lifted their first trophy in years after winning the Kirin Cup in Japan.^[12]

Scotland were once again left managerless in early 2007 as Walter Smith left the national side to return to club football.^[13] Alex McLeish was named as Scotland's twentieth manager.^[14] His assistants were announced as Roy Aitken and Andy Watson with Barry Ferguson remaining captain. McLeish's first match in charge was a 2008 European Championship qualifying match against Georgia which was won 2-1 by Scotland, making McLeish only the third Scotland manager to win in his first match in charge.^[15]

Scotland have played at eight World Cup Finals^[6] — including 5 consecutive tournaments from 1974 to 1990 — but have never progressed past the first round of the finals competition. They have missed out on progressing to the second round three times on goal difference: in 1974, when Brazil edged them out; in 1978, when the Netherlands progressed; and in 1982, when the USSR went through. Despite playing at eight finals tournaments they have qualified on nine occasions but the SFA declined to participate in 1950.

Scotland have qualified for two European Championships but have failed to advance beyond the first round on both occasions, most recently at Euro 1996, where the Netherlands progressed on goal difference. Qualification for Euro 2008 started in 2006. Although Scotland’s form has improved of late, expectation is low after being drawn in the so called group of death.^[17]

Scotland normally play their home matches at Hampden Park (capacity 52,000) in Glasgow. Some matches, particularly friendlies, are occasionally played elsewhere, often at Hibernian's Easter Road ground and Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium. Scotland are one of the few UEFA members who play most of their matches in a city (Glasgow) other than the capital (Edinburgh).

There have been a few instances where competitive qualifying matches have been played outside of Hampden. Celtic Park, Ibrox Stadium, Pittodrie and Rugby Park all hosted matches in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, while Hampden was unavailable due to the construction of the new South Stand. Similarly, Scotland played Euro 2000 qualifying matches at Celtic Park, Ibrox, Tynecastle Stadium and Pittodrie until Hampden's refurbishment was completed. Scotland recently played the Faroe Islands in their first Euro 2008 qualifier at Celtic Park, due to Hampden being hired out for a Robbie Williams concert on that date.

In recent years, the Scottish team have become famous for their travelling support, known as the Tartan Army, who have won awards from UEFA for their combination of vocal support and friendly nature.^[18] and were also named the World's Friendliest Fans during the 1998 World Cup. The Tartan Army are often considered amongst the world's best national team fans, famous supporters of the Scottish national side include Rod Stewart and Sean Connery.

Head coach: Alex McLeish
Captain: Barry Ferguson

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club
1	1GK	Craig Gordon	(1982-12-31) December 31, 1982 (age 41)	21	Hearts
2	1GK	Neil Alexander	(1978-03-10) March 10, 1978 (age 46)	3	Cardiff City
3	1GK	Allan McGregor	(1982-01-31) January 31, 1982 (age 42)	0	Rangers
4	1GK	Iain Turner	(1984-01-26) January 26, 1984 (age 40)	0	Everton
5	2DF	Christian Dailly	(1973-10-23) October 23, 1973 (age 50)	63	West Ham United
6	2DF	David Weir	(1970-05-10) May 10, 1970 (age 54)	53	Rangers
7	2DF	Jackie McNamara	(1973-10-24) October 24, 1973 (age 50)	33	Wolves
8	2DF	Gary Naysmith	(1978-11-16) November 16, 1978 (age 45)	34	Everton
9	2DF	Steven Pressley	(1973-10-11) October 11, 1973 (age 50)	32	Celtic
10	2DF	Graham Alexander	(1971-10-10) October 10, 1971 (age 52)	27	Preston North End
11	2DF	Gary Caldwell	(1982-04-12) April 12, 1982 (age 42)	23	Celtic
12	2DF	Russell Anderson	(1978-10-25) October 25, 1978 (age 45)	9	Aberdeen
13	2DF	Graeme Murty	(1974-11-13) November 13, 1974 (age 49)	3	Reading
14	2DF	Stephen McManus	(1982-09-10) September 10, 1982 (age 41)	3	Celtic
15	3MF	Barry Ferguson	(1978-02-02) February 2, 1978 (age 46)	37	Rangers
16	3MF	Nigel Quashie	(1978-07-20) July 20, 1978 (age 45)	14	West Ham United
17	3MF	Scott Severin	(1979-02-15) February 15, 1979 (age 45)	14	Aberdeen
18	3MF	Paul Hartley	(1976-10-19) October 19, 1976 (age 47)	13	Celtic
19	3MF	Lee McCulloch	(1978-05-14) May 14, 1978 (age 46)	10	Wigan Athletic
20	3MF	Gary Teale	(1978-07-21) July 21, 1978 (age 45)	7	Derby County
21	3MF	Chris Burke	(1983-12-02) December 2, 1983 (age 40)	2	Rangers
22	3MF	Scott Brown	(1985-06-25) June 25, 1985 (age 39)	3	Hibernian
23	4FW	Kenny Miller	(1979-12-23) December 23, 1979 (age 44)	31	Celtic
24	4FW	Kris Boyd	(1983-08-18) August 18, 1983 (age 40)	7	Rangers
25	4FW	Craig Beattie	(1984-01-16) January 16, 1984 (age 40)	4	Celtic
26	4FW	Shaun Maloney	(1983-01-24) January 24, 1983 (age 41)	3	Aston Villa

Players in bold have been inducted into the Scotland Football Hall of Fame.

From 1872 - 1954 the Scotland national team was appointed by an selection committee.

Manager	Scotland career	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %
Andy Beattie	1954	6	2	1	3	33.3%
Dawson Walker[20]	1958	6	1	2	3	16.6%
Matt Busby	1958	2	1	1	0	50%
Andy Beattie	1959-1960	11	4	3	4	36.4%
Ian McColl	1960-1965	28	17	3	8	60.7%
Jock Stein	1965-1966	7	3	1	3	42.9%
John Prentice	1966	4	0	1	3	0%
Malcolm MacDonald	1966-1967	2	1	1	0	50%
Bobby Brown	1967-1971	28	9	8	11	32.1%
Tommy Docherty	1971-1972	12	7	2	3	58.3%
Willie Ormond	1973-1977	38	18	8	12	47.4%
Ally MacLeod	1977-1978	17	7	5	5	41.2%
Jock Stein	1978-1985	61	26	12	23	42.6%
Alex Ferguson	1985-1986	10	3	4	3	30%
Andy Roxburgh	1986-1993	62	23	19	20	37.1%
Craig Brown	1993-2002	70	32	18	20	45.8%
Berti Vogts	2002-2004	30	7	7	16	23.3%
Tommy Burns[21]	2004	1	0	0	1	0%
Walter Smith	2004-2007	16	7	5	4	43.8%
Alex McLeish	2007-Present	2	1	0	1	50%

Scotland scores shown first.

As a result of London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, it has been suggested that a one-off UK team be created for the tournament. However, the Scottish Football Association has stated that it will not participate in such a team as doing so could threaten the independent status of the Scottish side.^[22]

Despite the opposition of the Scottish Football Association and that of the Football Association of Wales, which also opposes a UK wide team,^[23] the formation of a UK squad comprising players from England and Northern Ireland seems likely.

• List of Scotland national football team results
• List of Scottish football players playing abroad