Scotland vs Holland: Bittersweet Memories for Any Scotland Fan

The BBC this week kindly provided us with footage of THAT goal by Archie Gemmill to wet our appetites for this weekend’s clash. What we could do with a moment of magic like that on Saturday.

On paper in doesn’t look good I admit, with the Dutch ranked the third best team in the world,  having a 100% in the group and a line-up full of more stars than an Oscars after-show party. We haven’t even mentioned our injury list – we have enough casualties to fill Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

But when haven’t we been the underdogs? Some of our best performances have come when people have written us off (Wembley, Paris anyone?) it is when we are expected to win that things go wrong!

We also shouldn’t forget that we have talented players of our own. If Barry Ferguson makes it he will join Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown in midfield for the first time under Burley and I think they can compete with most sides.

Christophe Berra has shown huge promise since moving to Wolves and could form a useful partnership with Caldwell at the back. While up front, even without the likes of McFadden and O’Connor, we have enough firepower to keep the Dutch defenders occupied.

If we play without fear—we have nothing to lose after all—the pressure may just get to the Dutch.

What we don’t want is a repeat of the 6-0 drubbing dished out six years ago in the very same stadium in the Euro 2004 play-off.

But I honestly can’t see that happening this time. The win in Paris two years ago diminished our inferiority complex and should have given us the self-belief that we can beat the top nations.

The heart might rule the head on this one, in fact it probably has to, but amazing things can occur in football. If we we get behind the lads and they put in their all (which we know they will) then anything can happen.

Plus if the hordes of Tartan Army fans who have invaded the Amsterdam over the past few days indulge in some of the local delicacies, they may not care if we win, lose or draw!