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Scotland national football team



 
 
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 in international
FIFA

The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by its acronym, FIFA , is the international sport governing body of association football....
 football
Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world....
 and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England
England national football team

The English national football team represents England in international Association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England....
, whom they played in the world's first international football match
Scotland v England (1872)

Scotland v England was the first ever official international football match to be played. It was contested by the national teams of Scotland national football team and England national football team....
 in 1872. Scotland maintains its own national side that competes in all major professional tournaments, with the exception of the Olympics
Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event established for both summer and winter sports. There have been two generations of the Olympic Games; the first were the Ancient Olympic Games held at Olympia, Greece, Greece....
 as Scotland is not a member of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894....
. The majority of Scotland's home matches are held at the national stadium, Hampden Park
Hampden Park

Hampden Park in Glasgow is Scotland's national stadium. Its primary use is as the home to Queen's Park F.C. and the Scotland national football team....
, with friendlies sometimes hosted at club stadiums.

Scotland have qualified for the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
 and the UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's List of men's national football teamss governed by UEFA ....
 several times, but have never progressed beyond the first stage of a tournament.






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Encyclopedia


The Scotland national football team represents Scotland
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 in international
FIFA

The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by its acronym, FIFA , is the international sport governing body of association football....
 football
Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world....
 and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England
England national football team

The English national football team represents England in international Association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England....
, whom they played in the world's first international football match
Scotland v England (1872)

Scotland v England was the first ever official international football match to be played. It was contested by the national teams of Scotland national football team and England national football team....
 in 1872. Scotland maintains its own national side that competes in all major professional tournaments, with the exception of the Olympics
Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event established for both summer and winter sports. There have been two generations of the Olympic Games; the first were the Ancient Olympic Games held at Olympia, Greece, Greece....
 as Scotland is not a member of the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894....
. The majority of Scotland's home matches are held at the national stadium, Hampden Park
Hampden Park

Hampden Park in Glasgow is Scotland's national stadium. Its primary use is as the home to Queen's Park F.C. and the Scotland national football team....
, with friendlies sometimes hosted at club stadiums.

Scotland have qualified for the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
 and the UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's List of men's national football teamss governed by UEFA ....
 several times, but have never progressed beyond the first stage of a tournament. The team have achieved some noteworthy results, however, such as beating the 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup

The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1966 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in August 1960 to celebrate the centenary of the The Football Association in England....
 winners England 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in 1967. Archie Gemmill
Archie Gemmill

Archibald "Archie" Gemmill is a Scottish former football , most famous for a goal he scored against the Netherlands national football team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup....
 scored what has been described as one of the greatest World Cup goals ever in a 3–2 win during the 1978 World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup

The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. Argentina was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
 against Holland
Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national Association football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association....
, who reached the final of the tournament. In their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 2008, Scotland defeated 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the Anniversary#Latin-derived numerical names international football world championship tournament....
 runners-up France
France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football . It is fielded by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA....
 1–0 in both fixtures.

Scotland's supporters are collectively known as the Tartan Army
Tartan Army

The Tartan Army is a name given to fans of the Scotland national football team. The name derives from the wearing of tartan at football matches and when travelling abroad....
. Their traditional rivals are England
England and Scotland football rivalry

The England national football team and Scotland national football team football rivalry is a highly competitive sports rivalry that exists between the national football teams of the two countries....
, who they played annually from 1872 until 1989, but there have only been three senior level fixtures since then. The last match between the sides was the second leg of a Euro 2000 qualifying play-off at Wembley
Wembley

Wembley Central is an area located in HA postcode area, UK which forms the Western part of the London Borough of Brent. It is best known as the location of Wembley Stadium, which is the home of English football....
 in 1999, which Scotland won 1–0, although England won the tie 2–1 on aggregate.

History


Early history

Scotland and England
England national football team

The English national football team represents England in international Association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England....
 are the oldest national football teams in the world. The two countries contested the first ever international football match
Scotland v England (1872)

Scotland v England was the first ever official international football match to be played. It was contested by the national teams of Scotland national football team and England national football team....
, at Hamilton Crescent
Hamilton Crescent

Hamilton Crescent is a cricket ground located in the Partick area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club....
 in Partick
Partick

Partick is an area of Glasgow on the north bank of the River Clyde, just across from Govan. To the west lies Whiteinch. Partick was a Police burgh from 1852 until 1912 when it was incorporated into the city....
, Scotland on 30 November 1872. The match ended in a goalless draw. All eleven players who represented Scotland that day played for Glasgow
Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and List of largest United Kingdom settlements by population in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's Scottish Lowlands....
 amateur club Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.

Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish Football League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi - to play for the sake of playing....
. Over the next forty years, Scotland played matches exclusively against the other three Home nations
Home Nations

Home Nations is a collective term often used in sports to refer to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which together form the United Kingdom....
—England, Wales
Wales national football team

The Wales national football team represents Wales in international men's association football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales and the third oldest national football association in the world....
 and Ireland. The British Home Championship
British Home Championship

The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England national football team, Scotland national football team, Wales national football team and Northern Ireland national football team from the 1883–84 season until the 1983-84 season....
 began in 1883, making these games competitive. The encounters against England were particularly fierce and a rivalry
England and Scotland football rivalry

The England national football team and Scotland national football team football rivalry is a highly competitive sports rivalry that exists between the national football teams of the two countries....
 quickly developed.

A noteworthy victory for Scotland before the Second World War was the 5–1 victory over England in 1928, which led to that Scotland side being known as the Wembley Wizards
Wembley Wizards

"Wembley Wizards" is the name given to the Scotland national football team which defeated England at Wembley Stadium in 1928 by 5 goals to 1 in a comprehensive display of teamwork that has become mythologised....
. Scotland won the British Home Championship outright on 24 occasions, and shared the title 17 times with at least one other team. In 1929, Scotland played their first match outside the British Isles
British Isles

The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous smaller islands....
, beating Norway
Norway national football team

The Norwegian national football team, controlled by the Norwegian Football Association, is the national football team of Norway. The team played its first international in 1908....
 7–3 in Bergen. Scotland continued to contest regular friendly matches against European
Continental Europe

Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands and, at times, peninsulas....
 opposition and enjoyed wins against Germany
Germany national football team

The German national football team is the association football team representing the country of Germany in international competition since 1908....
 and France
France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football . It is fielded by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA....
 before losing to the Austrian
Austria national football team

The Austria national football team is the Football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
 Wunderteam
Wunderteam

Wunderteam was the name given to the Austria national football team of the 1930s. Led by manager Hugo Meisl, the team had an unbeaten streak of 14 games between April 1931 and December 1932....
 and Italy
Italy national football team

The Italian national football team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation and represents Italy in international Football competition....
 in 1931.

1950s

The Home Nations
Home Nations

Home Nations is a collective term often used in sports to refer to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which together form the United Kingdom....
 did not enter the three World Cups before the Second World War because they were not members of FIFA
FIFA

The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by its acronym, FIFA , is the international sport governing body of association football....
. Prior to the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup

The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth staging of the World Cup, and the first staged in 12 years due to World War II....
, FIFA advised that places would be awarded to the top two teams in the 1950 British Home Championship
1950 British Home Championship

1950 British Home Championship. The 1950 competition was one of the most significant competitions of the British Home Championship football tournament....
. George Graham of the SFA announced, however, that Scotland would only attend the finals if Scotland won the competition. When the Scots finished runners-up to England
England national football team

The English national football team represents England in international Association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England....
, Graham stuck to his guns despite pleas from the Scotland players, supported by England captain Billy Wright
Billy Wright

Billy Wright may refer to:* Billy Wright , Wolverhampton Wanderers and England football captain* Billy Wright , Everton and Birmingham City centre-half...
 and the England players. Instead Graham sent the Scots on a tour of North America
North America

North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost totally in the western hemisphere....
.

The 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup

The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. As the year saw the 50th anniversary of FIFA, it was appropriate for football's premier competition to be played in the home of its governing body, and Switzerland was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1954 FIFA World Cup in July 1946....
 in Switzerland
Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked Swiss Alps country of roughly 7.7 million people in Western Europe with an area of 41,285 km?. Switzerland is a federal republic consisting of 26 states called Cantons of Switzerland....
 was the first FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
 at which the Scotland national team competed. To quote the SFA website, "The preparation was atrocious". The SFA only sent 13 players to the finals, even though FIFA allowed 22 man squads. Despite this self-imposed hardship in terms of players, the SFA dignitaries travelled in numbers, accompanied with their wives. Scotland lost 1–0 against Austria
Austria national football team

The Austria national football team is the Football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
 in their first game in the finals. This prompted the team manager Andy Beattie
Andy Beattie

Andrew 'Andy' Beattie , was a Scotland professional association football player and manager. He was the first manager of the Scotland national football team....
 to resign hours before the game against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team is controlled by the Asociaci?n Uruguaya de F?tbol.Uruguay is one of the most successful national football teams in the world....
. Uruguay were reigning champions and had never before lost a game at the World Cup finals. The gulf in class was exposed in horrific fashion as Uruguay won 7–0.

The 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup

The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. Sweden was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1958 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in June 1950....
 finals saw Scotland draw their first game against Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team

The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football....
 1–1, but they then lost to Paraguay
Paraguay national football team

The Paraguay national football team is the national team of Paraguay and is controlled by the Asociaci?n Paraguaya de F?tbol.The Paraguay national football team has reached the second round of the Football World Cup on three occasions but has never advanced beyond that stage....
 and France
France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football . It is fielded by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA....
 and went out at the first stage. March 1959 saw the re-appointment of Andy Beattie as manager until October 1960.

1960s


Under the management of Ian McColl
Ian McColl

John Miller "Ian" McColl was a Scotland association football defender who played for Queen's Park F.C., Rangers F.C. and the Scotland national football team....
, Scotland enjoyed consecutive British Home Championship successes in 1962 and 1963. Jock Stein
Jock Stein

John 'Jock' Stein Order of the British Empire was a Scottish football coach . He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup, with Celtic F.C....
, John Prentice
John Prentice (footballer)

John Prentice , was a Scotland Football player and manager. He played for Heart of Midlothian F.C., Rangers F.C., Falkirk F.C. and Dumbarton F.C., and managed Arbroath F.C., Falkirk, Dundee F.C., Clyde F.C....
 and Malcolm MacDonald
Malcolm Macdonald

Malcolm Ian Macdonald is a former England football er nicknamed "Supermac", famed for scoring goals for Luton Town F.C., Newcastle United F.C. and Arsenal F.C.....
 all had brief spells as manager before Bobby Brown was appointed in 1967. Brown's first match as manager was against the newly crowned world champions
1966 FIFA World Cup

The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1966 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in August 1960 to celebrate the centenary of the The Football Association in England....
 England at Wembley Stadium. Despite being underdogs, Scotland won 3–2 thanks to goals from Denis Law
Denis Law

Denis Law is a retired Scottish Football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s.Law's career as a football player began at Second Division Huddersfield Town F.C....
, Bobby Lennox
Bobby Lennox

Robert "Bobby" Lennox, Order of the British Empire is a former Scotland professional association football who played for Celtic F.C. and was a member of their 1967 UEFA Champions League winning team known as the Lisbon Lions....
 and Jim McCalliog
Jim McCalliog

James "Jim" McCalliog is a Scotland former Association football who played for Sheffield Wednesday F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Manchester United and Southampton F.C.....
. Having defeated the world champions on their own turf, the Scotland fans hailed their team as the unofficial world champions
Unofficial Football World Championships

The Unofficial Football World Championships is a way of calculating the world's best football team, using a knock-out title system similar to that used in boxing and wrestling....
.

Ormond and MacLeod

After Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty

Thomas Henderson Docherty , usually known as 'Tommy Docherty' or 'The Doc', is a Scotland former football er and football manager....
's brief spell as manager, Willie Ormond
Willie Ormond

William 'Willie' Esplin Ormond Order of the British Empire was a Scotland football player and manager....
 was hired in 1973. Ormond lost his first match in charge 5–0 to England, but recovered to steer Scotland to their first World Cup finals in 16 years in 1974. At the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany
West Germany

West Germany was the common English name for the Germany , from its formation in May 1949 to German reunification in October 1990, when East Germany was dissolved and its States of Germany became part of the Federal Republic, ending the more than 40-year division of Germany....
, Scotland were unbeaten but failed to progress beyond the group stages on goal difference
Goal difference

In sports such as ice hockey and Association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
. After beating Zaire
Congo DR national football team

The Congo DR national football team, nicknamed The Leopards, is the national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is controlled by the F?d?ration Congolaise de Football-Association....
, they drew with both Brazil
Brazil national football team

The Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions....
 and Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team

The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football....
, and went out because they had beaten Zaire by the smallest margin.

Scotland appointed Ally MacLeod
Ally MacLeod

Alistair Reid MacLeod was a Scotland professional football player. He is perhaps better known for his time as a Coach , which included being in charge of Scotland national football team at the 1978 FIFA World Cup....
 as manager in 1977 with qualification for the 1978 World Cup
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
 in Argentina
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
 far from assured. The team made a strong start under MacLeod by winning the 1977 British Home Championship
1977 British Home Championship

The 1977 British Home Championship exemplified a new era in Home Nations football during its final game, when jubilant Scottish fans invaded the pitch at Wembley Stadium following their team's surprise victory....
, largely thanks to a 2–1 victory over England at Wembley Stadium. The Scotland fans
Tartan Army

The Tartan Army is a name given to fans of the Scotland national football team. The name derives from the wearing of tartan at football matches and when travelling abroad....
 invaded the pitch after the match, ripping up the turf and breaking a crossbar. Scotland's good form continued as they secured qualification for the World Cup with victories over Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team

The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national football team of Czechoslovakia, before the country was Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia It was controlled by the Czechoslovak Football Association from 1922 to 1993....
 and Wales
Wales national football team

The Wales national football team represents Wales in international men's association football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales and the third oldest national football association in the world....
.

During the build-up to the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup

The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. Argentina was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
, MacLeod 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
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
, they were given an enthusiastic send off as they were paraded around a packed Hampden Park
Hampden Park

Hampden Park in Glasgow is Scotland's national stadium. Its primary use is as the home to Queen's Park F.C. and the Scotland national football team....
. Thousands more fans lined the route to Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is an international airport serving Glasgow, situated northeast of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire, Scotland....
 as the team set off for South America. Scotland's first game was against Peru
Peru national football team

The Peru national football team is controlled by the Federaci?n Peruana de F?tbol and represents Peru in international football competitions. Created in 1927, the team competes with nine other teams in the CONMEBOL conference within FIFA....
 in Cordoba. Two spectacular goals by Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas

Te?filo Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He is considered Peru's most renowned player and one of the best South-American footballers of all-time....
 meant that the result was a 3–1 loss. The second game was a very disappointing 1–1 draw against Iran
Iran national football team

The Iran national football team represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation....
. The disconsolate mood of the nation was reflected by footage of Ally MacLeod in the dugout
Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world....
 with his head in his hands.

After taking a single point from their opening two games, Scotland had to defeat Holland
Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national Association football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association....
 by three clear goals to progress. Despite the Dutch taking the lead, Scotland fought back to win 3–2 with a goal from Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish

Kenneth Mathieson 'Kenny' Dalglish Order of the British Empire is a former Scotland national football team Football player. He was famous for his successes with Celtic F.C....
 and two from Archie Gemmill
Archie Gemmill

Archibald "Archie" Gemmill is a Scottish former football , most famous for a goal he scored against the Netherlands national football team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup....
, the second of which is considered one of the greatest World Cup goals ever; Gemmill beat three Dutch defenders before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed
Jan Jongbloed

Jan Jongbloed was a football goalkeeper with the Netherlands national football team at the 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1978 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cups, wearing the number 8 jersey....
 into the net. The victory was not sufficient to secure a place in the second round, however, as Scotland were eliminated on goal difference for the second successive World Cup.

Stein and Ferguson

MacLeod resigned as manager shortly after the 1978 World Cup, with Jock Stein
Jock Stein

John 'Jock' Stein Order of the British Empire was a Scottish football coach . He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup, with Celtic F.C....
 (who had achieved domination of the Scottish league as manager of Glasgow Celtic
Celtic F.C.

The Celtic Football Club is a Scotland Association football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League....
 appointed as his successor. After failing to qualify for the 1980 European Championship
1980 UEFA European Football Championship

The 1980 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in Italy. This was the sixth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA....
, Scotland qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup

The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. Spain was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
 from a tough group including Sweden
Sweden national football team

The Swedish national football team is the national football team of Sweden and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association.History...
, Portugal
Portugal national football team

The Portugal national football team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation , finishing 4th at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The first appearance in the 1966 FIFA World cup saw them reach the semi final, losing 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to the eventual world champions England national football team....
, Israel
Israel national football team

The Israeli National Football Team is the List of men's national association football teams of Israel and is controlled by the Israel Football Association ....
 and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football . In such events, the individual countries of the United Kingdom compete separately, but do not participate in the Olympic Games....
, losing just one match in the process. They beat New Zealand 5–2 in their first game at the World Cup, but lost 4–1 to a Brazil
Brazil national football team

The Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions....
 team containing Socrates
Socrates

Socrates was a Classical Greece Philosophy. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, he is an enigmatic figure known only through the classical accounts of his students....
, Zico
Zico

Arthur Antunes Coimbra , better known as Zico Zico scored 66 goals in 88 international matches for Brazil national football team, and represented them in the 1978 FIFA World Cup, 1982 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup World Cups....
, Eder
Éder Aleixo de Assis

?der Aleixo de Assis, was also known as ?der or ?der Assis , is a former Brazilian football . He played as a left winger and striker, most notably with Gr?mio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, Clube Atl?tico Mineiro and with the Brazil national football team....
 and Falcão. Scotland were eliminated on goal difference after a 2–2 draw with the Soviet Union
USSR national football team

The USSR national football team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist on the History of the Soviet Union . FIFA considers the CIS national football team as its successor team allocating its former records to them; nevertheless, a large percentage of the team's former players came from outside the Russian...
.

Scotland qualified for their fourth successive World Cup in 1986
1986 FIFA World Cup

The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. It was won by Argentina national football team , who beat Germany national football team 3-2 in the final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca....
 in traumatic circumstances. The squad went into their last qualification match against Wales needing a point to reach the tournament in Mexico
Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federalism constitutionalism republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico....
. With only nine minutes remaining and Wales leading, Scotland were awarded a penalty kick
Penalty kick

A penalty kick is a type of free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal....
 which was calmly scored by Davie Cooper
Davie Cooper

David "Davie" Cooper was a professional football player. He was a Scotland national football team international and played as a left winger....
. However, as the players and fans celebrated, national coach Jock Stein
Jock Stein

John 'Jock' Stein Order of the British Empire was a Scottish football coach . He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup, with Celtic F.C....
 suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterwards. Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson

Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, Order of the British Empire, is a Scotland association football coach and former player, currently managing Manchester United F.C., where he has been in charge since 1986....
 was handed the role of manager for the World Cup, for which Scotland gained qualification by triumphing over Australia in a two-leg playoff, but Scotland were eliminated from the tournament with just one point from their three matches, a goalless draw with Uruguay.

Roxburgh and Brown

Scotland qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup in 1990
1990 FIFA World Cup

The 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 14th staging of the World Cup, was held in Italy from 8 June to 8 July. Italy was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1990 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 19 May 1984, making it the second country to host the event twice....
 by finishing second in their qualifying group, ahead of France
France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football . It is fielded by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA....
. Scotland were drawn in a group with Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team

The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federaci?n Costarricense de F?tbol....
, Sweden, and Brazil, but the Scots lost 1–0 to Costa Rica. While they recovered to beat Sweden 2–1 in their second game, they lost to Brazil in their third match 1–0 and were once again eliminated after the first round.

By a narrow margin, Scotland qualified for the UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's List of men's national football teamss governed by UEFA ....
 for the first time in 1992. A 1–0 defeat to Romania
Romania national football team

The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil national football team, France national football team, and Belgium national football team, that took part in the first three FIFA World Cu...
 away from home left qualification dependent upon other results, but a 1–1 draw between Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team

The Bulgaria national football team is the national football team of Bulgaria and is controlled by the Bulgarian Football Union. Bulgaria's best Football World Cup performance was in the Football World Cup 1994 in USA, where they beat defending champions Germany national football team to reach the semi-finals, losing to Italy national footba...
 and Romania in the final group match saw Scotland squeeze through. Despite playing well in matches against the Netherlands and Germany and a fine win against the CIS
CIS national football team

The CIS national football team represented the Commonwealth of Independent States, the alliance of 12 out of 15 newly formed sovereign states of the Soviet Union, during the first half of 1992....
, the team was knocked out at the group stage. Scotland failed to qualify, however, for the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in the United States from 17 June to 17 July 1994. The United States was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1994 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in July 1988....
. The team finished fourth in their qualifying group
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)

Listed below are the dates and results for the 1994 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification....
 behind Italy
Italy national football team

The Italian national football team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation and represents Italy in international Football competition....
, Switzerland
Switzerland national football team

The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association.Its best performances in the Football World Cup have been reaching the quarter-finals three times, in Football World Cup 1934, Football World Cup 1938 and when the country hosted the event in Football World Cup...
 and Portugal. When it became clear that Scotland could not qualify, Andy Roxburgh
Andy Roxburgh

Andy Roxburgh is a former Scotland football player and coach. He has been UEFA Technical Director since 1994.In his playing days Roxburgh appeared for Queen's Park F.C., East Stirlingshire F.C., Partick Thistle F.C., Falkirk F.C....
 resigned from his position as team manager.

at Villa Park
Villa Park

Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, a football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County...
 during Euro 96]] New manager Craig Brown successfully guided Scotland to the 1996 European Championship
1996 UEFA European Football Championship

The 1996 UEFA European Football Championship was hosted by England. It was the tenth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA, and the first to use the "Euro" name....
 tournament. The first game against the Netherlands ended 0–0, raising morale ahead of a much anticipated game against England at Wembley Stadium. Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister

Gary McAllister Order of the British Empire is a Scotland former Professional sport football turned Manager. He is not currently affiliated with any professional club since being sacked from Leeds United on 21 December 2008....
 missed a penalty kick
Penalty kick

A penalty kick is a type of free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal....
 and a goal by Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne

Paul John Gascoigne , often referred to as Gazza, is a retired England football , who is widely regarded as one of the most gifted players of his generation....
 led to a 2–0 defeat. Scotland recovered to beat Switzerland
Switzerland national football team

The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association.Its best performances in the Football World Cup have been reaching the quarter-finals three times, in Football World Cup 1934, Football World Cup 1938 and when the country hosted the event in Football World Cup...
 1–0. The score in the other match meant Scotland were briefly in a position to qualify, but a late goal for Holland
Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national Association football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association....
 meant that the team were once again knocked out on goal difference.

Brown again guided Scotland to qualification for a major tournament in 1998, and Scotland were drawn against Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1998 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 1 July 1992....
. John Collins
John Collins (footballer)

John Angus Paul Collins is a former Scottish Scotland national football team Football . He played for Hibernian F.C., Celtic F.C., AS Monaco, Everton F.C....
 equalised from the penalty spot to level the score at 1–1, but a Tom Boyd
Tom Boyd

Thomas "Tom" Boyd is a former football player.He played for Celtic F.C., Motherwell F.C. and Chelsea F.C.. He also gained 72 cap for Scotland national football team and is a member of the Scotland Football Hall of Fame....
 own goal
Own goal

An own goal occurs in association football and other goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team....
 led to a 2–1 defeat. Scotland drew their next game 1–1 with Norway in Bordeaux
Bordeaux

is a Port city on the Garonne in southwest France, with one million inhabitants in its aire urbaine at a 2008 estimate. It is the Capital of the Aquitaine regions of France, as well as the Prefectures in France of the Gironde Departments of France....
, but the final match against Morocco
Morocco national football team

The Morocco national football team , nicknamed ???? ?????? , is the national team of Morocco and is controlled by the F?d?ration Royale Marocaine de Football....
 ended in an embarrassing 3–0 defeat.

During the qualification for the 2000 European Championship, Scotland faced England in a two-legged
Two-legged match

In sport , a two-legged tie is a match-up between two sports club or national teams that lasts over two individual games, used in Single-elimination tournament competitions....
 playoff nicknamed the "Battle of Britain" by the media. Scotland won the second match 1–0, but lost the tie 2–1 on aggregate. Scotland failed to qualify for the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. The two countries were chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#2002 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in May 1996 and was the first tournament in its history to be hosted by two countries....
, finishing third in their qualifying group behind Croatia
Croatia national football team

The Croatia national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international Association football . The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by Slaven Bilic....
 and Belgium
Belgium national football team

The Belgium national football team is the national football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association....
. This second successive failure to qualify prompted Brown to resign from his position after the final qualifying match.

Decline under Vogts

Berti Vogts Cropped
The Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 appointed former Germany manager Berti Vogts
Berti Vogts

Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogts is a Germany association football coach and former player. He is currently manager of the Azerbaijan national football team....
 as manager
Head coach

A head coach is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. He is typically paid more than other coach . Other coaches are often subordinate to the head coach, often in offense positions or defense positions, and occasionally proceeding down into individualized position coaches....
 in 2002. Scotland performed badly under Vogts and suffered a series of heavy defeats, including 6–0 to Holland, 5–0 to France, 4–0 to Wales
Wales national football team

The Wales national football team represents Wales in international men's association football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales and the third oldest national football association in the world....
, 4–1 to South Korea and 3–0 to Hungary
Hungary national football team

The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international Football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation. It has a rich and proud pedigree in the game and a rightful place in football annals as one of the first original footballing nations in continental Europe and an innovator in the sport in the 1950s....
, which caused the team to drop to a record low in the FIFA World Rankings
FIFA World Rankings

The FIFA World Rankings is a ranking system for men's national teams in Association football, currently led by Spain national football team. The teams of the List of men's national football teams of FIFA , football's world governing body, are ranked based on their game results with the most successful teams being ranked highest....
. Vogts announced his resignation in 2004, blaming the hostile media for his departure.

Recovery under Smith and McLeish

Former Rangers
Rangers F.C.

Rangers Football Club are an association football team based in Glasgow, Scotland who currently play in the Scottish Premier League. They have won 51 domestic league titles, more than any other team....
 and Everton
Everton F.C.

Everton Football Club are a professional English association football club located in the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League and has contested more seasons in the top flight of English football than any other....
 manager, Walter Smith was brought in as manager in the wake of Vogts' departure. Smith secured victories against Bulgaria, Norway, the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team

The Faroe Islands national football team is the national football team of Faroe Islands and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association....
 and most notably against France in a far more productive period, with Scotland rising up the FIFA Rankings. The Scottish players also lifted their first trophy in years after winning the Kirin Cup
Kirin Cup

The Kirin Cup is an annual football tournament organised in Japan by the Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd.. Participants are either club teams or national teams, but the Japan national team is always a participant....
 in Japan. Scotland failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the Anniversary#Latin-derived numerical names international football world championship tournament....
 in Germany with a 3–4–3 win–draw–loss record, finishing third in their group behind Italy and Norway
Norway national football team

The Norwegian national football team, controlled by the Norwegian Football Association, is the national football team of Norway. The team played its first international in 1908....
.

Smith left the national side in early 2007 to return to club football, with Scotland leading their Euro 2008 qualification group largely thanks to a 1–0 win against France at Hampden. Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish

Alexander "Alex" McLeish nicknamed "Big Eck", is a Scottish former professional football who played as a defender . Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, he played for Aberdeen F.C....
 was named as Smith's successor and Scotland's twentieth manager. McLeish's first match in charge was a 2008 European Championship qualifying match against Georgia
Georgia national football team

The Georgia national football team is the national football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union....
 which was won 2–1 by Scotland, making McLeish only the third Scotland manager to win his first match in charge. McLeish then guided Scotland to wins against the Faroe Islands, Lithuania
Lithuania national football team

The national football team of Lithuania is controlled by the Lithuanian Football Federation. It played its first match in 1923. In 1940 Lithuania was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union; the country proclaimed its renewed independence in 1990 and played their first match as a new nation against Georgia national football team on 27 May of...
, France and Ukraine
Ukraine national football team

The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After the split of the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary national football team on April 29, 1992....
 before defeats to Georgia
Georgia national football team

The Georgia national football team is the national football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union....
 and Italy ended their chances of qualification. These overall improved results, particularly the wins against France, lifted Scotland into the top 20 in the FIFA rankings for the first time since their conception in the mid 1990s. Scotland's best ranking was 13th in October 2007.

Burley

After the narrow failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish

Alexander "Alex" McLeish nicknamed "Big Eck", is a Scottish former professional football who played as a defender . Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, he played for Aberdeen F.C....
 resigned the managerial position to join a few days after the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for Association football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa....
 was made. Scotland's improved results in the last two campaigns meant the team were seeded second for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and they were drawn with Holland
Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national Association football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association....
, Norway
Norway national football team

The Norwegian national football team, controlled by the Norwegian Football Association, is the national football team of Norway. The team played its first international in 1908....
, Macedonia and Iceland
Iceland national football team

The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
. manager George Burley
George Burley

George Elder Burley is a Scotland football coach and former player. On 24 January 2008 he was appointed manager of the Scotland national football team national team....
 was hired as the new manager, but the team failed to win three preparatory friendlies against Croatia
Croatia national football team

The Croatia national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international Association football . The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by Slaven Bilic....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team

The Czech national football team is the national football team of the Czech Republic controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic....
 and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football . In such events, the individual countries of the United Kingdom compete separately, but do not participate in the Olympic Games....
. Burley came in for criticism from the media after the team lost their first qualifier against Macedonia, but they recovered to win 2–1 in Iceland. The next match was a goalless draw at home against Norway, during which debutant Chris Iwelumo
Chris Iwelumo

Christopher Robert "Chris" Iwelumo is a Scotland Scotland national football team Association football Forward , currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C....
 missed an open goal from three yards.

World Cup record

Scotland have played at eight World Cup Finals
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
, including five consecutive tournaments from 1974 to 1990. During the preparations for the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics

Football_ at the 1928 Summer Olympics tournament, won with difficulty by Uruguay from their bitter rivals Argentina, would be the precursor to the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay....
, FIFA
FIFA

The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by its acronym, FIFA , is the international sport governing body of association football....
 ruled that all its member associations must provide "broken-time" payments to cover the expenses of players from their country who participated. In response to what they considered to be unacceptable interference, the football associations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales held a meeting at which they agreed to resign from FIFA. As a result, Scotland did not compete in the three interwar World Cup competitions. The Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 did not rejoin FIFA as a permanent member until 1946.

Competition


Scotland have never advanced beyond the first round of the finals competition. They have missed out on progressing to the second round three times on goal difference: in 1974
1974 FIFA World Cup

The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. West Germany had been chosen in July 1966 as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA....
, when Brazil
Brazil national football team

The Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation that represents Brazil in international football competitions....
 edged them out; in 1978
1978 FIFA World Cup

The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. Argentina was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
, when the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national Association football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association....
 progressed; and in 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup

The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. Spain was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
, when the USSR
USSR national football team

The USSR national football team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist on the History of the Soviet Union . FIFA considers the CIS national football team as its successor team allocating its former records to them; nevertheless, a large percentage of the team's former players came from outside the Russian...
 went through. Although Scotland have played at eight finals tournaments, they have actually qualified on nine occasions. The Scottish Football Association declined to participate in 1950
1950 FIFA World Cup

The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth staging of the World Cup, and the first staged in 12 years due to World War II....
 as Scotland were not the British champions
British Home Championship

The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England national football team, Scotland national football team, Wales national football team and Northern Ireland national football team from the 1883–84 season until the 1983-84 season....
.

YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
1930
1930 FIFA World Cup

The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the first FIFA World Cup, the world championship for international association football teams. It was played in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July....
1938
1938 FIFA World Cup

The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. France was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1938 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in August 1936....
Did not enter  
1950
1950 FIFA World Cup

The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth staging of the World Cup, and the first staged in 12 years due to World War II....
Withdrew  
1954
1954 FIFA World Cup

The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. As the year saw the 50th anniversary of FIFA, it was appropriate for football's premier competition to be played in the home of its governing body, and Switzerland was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1954 FIFA World Cup in July 1946....
Round 1 2 0 0 2 0 8
1958
1958 FIFA World Cup

The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. Sweden was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1958 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in June 1950....
Round 1 3 0 1 2 4 6
1962
1962 FIFA World Cup

The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. Chile was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1962 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in June 1956, as the World Cup returned to the continent of South America after 12 years....
1970
1970 FIFA World Cup

The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. Mexico was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1970 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in October 1964....
Did not qualify  
1974
1974 FIFA World Cup

The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. West Germany had been chosen in July 1966 as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA....
Round 1 3 1 2 0 3 1
1978
1978 FIFA World Cup

The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. Argentina was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
Round 1 3 1 1 1 5 6
1982
1982 FIFA World Cup

The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. Spain was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1974, 1978, 1982 FIFA World Cups by FIFA in July 1966....
Round 1 3 1 1 1 8 8
1986 Round 1 3 0 1 2 1 3
1990
1990 FIFA World Cup

The 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 14th staging of the World Cup, was held in Italy from 8 June to 8 July. Italy was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1990 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 19 May 1984, making it the second country to host the event twice....
Round 1 3 1 0 2 2 3
1994
1994 FIFA World Cup

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in the United States from 17 June to 17 July 1994. The United States was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1994 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in July 1988....
Did not qualify  
1998
1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1998 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 1 July 1992....
Round 1 3 0 1 2 2 6
2002
2002 FIFA World Cup

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. The two countries were chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#2002 FIFA World Cup by FIFA in May 1996 and was the first tournament in its history to be hosted by two countries....
2006
2006 FIFA World Cup

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the Anniversary#Latin-derived numerical names international football world championship tournament....
Did not qualify  
Totals 23 4 7 12 25 41


European Championship record

Scotland have qualified for two European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's List of men's national football teamss governed by UEFA ....
 but have failed to advance beyond the first round on both occasions, most recently at the 1996 European Championship, where the Netherlands progressed on goals scored
Goal difference

In sports such as ice hockey and Association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
.

YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
1960–1964Did not enter  
1968–1988Did not qualify  
1992Round 1 3 1 0 2 3 3
1996Round 1 3 1 1 1 1 2
2000–2008Did not qualify  
Totals 6 2 1 3 4 5


Stadium

Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park

Hampden Park in Glasgow is Scotland's national stadium. Its primary use is as the home to Queen's Park F.C. and the Scotland national football team....
 in Glasgow
Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and List of largest United Kingdom settlements by population in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's Scottish Lowlands....
 is the traditional home of the Scotland team and is described by the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 as the National Stadium. The present stadium, which has a 52,000 capacity, is one of several stadiums to have used the name. Hampden and its predecessors have hosted international matches since 1878. The attendance record of 149,415 was set by the Scotland v England match in 1937. Hampden is one of only two Scottish football stadiums
List of Scottish football stadiums by capacity

This is a list of Scotland football Stadium, ranked in descending order of capacity.** Not a League club...
 to receive a UEFA 5–star
UEFA Stadia List

A UEFA Elite Stadium is a stadium which meets the 'Elite' criteria laid out in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations. Using these regulations, stadiums are rated as Category 1, 2, 3 or Elite ....
 rating.

Some friendly matches are played at smaller venues, such as when Scotland played South Africa
South Africa national football team

The South Africa national football team or Bafana Bafana , is the national team of South Africa and is controlled by the South African Football Association....
 at Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium

Pittodrie Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Scotland city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen F.C.....
 in Aberdeen
Aberdeen

Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous City status in the United Kingdom and one of Scotland's 32 Local government in Scotland Council areas of Scotland....
 during August 2007. Easter Road
Easter Road

Easter Road is the home ground of Scottish Premier League football club Hibernian F.C.. Located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, the stadium has a capacity of 17,500....
 Stadium in Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Edinburgh ; is the Capital city of Scotland, a position it has held since 1437. It is the seventh largest city in the United Kingdom and the second largest Scottish City status in the United Kingdom after Glasgow....
 has hosted four friendly matches since 1998. Other stadiums were also used while Hampden was being redeveloped during the late 1990s. Celtic Park
Celtic Park

Celtic Park is a association football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow in Scotland. It is the home ground of Celtic F.C. Football Club....
, Pittodrie, Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium

Ibrox Stadium, originally Ibrox Park, is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox, Glasgow district of Glasgow....
 and Rugby Park
Rugby Park

Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scotland town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock FC.It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128....
 all hosted matches during the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1998 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 1 July 1992....
 qualifying campaign, while Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium

Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in Edinburgh, Scotland. The stadium currently plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League team Heart of Midlothian F.C....
, Pittodrie, Celtic Park and Ibrox were used for Euro 2000
2000 UEFA European Football Championship

The 2000 UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2000, was the 11th UEFA European Football Championship, which is held every four years and organized by UEFA, football's governing body in Europe....
 qualifying matches.

Since the last redevelopment to Hampden was completed in 1999, Scotland have played all but one of their competitive matches there. The exception to this rule was when Celtic Park hosted the first Euro 2008 qualification match against the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team

The Faroe Islands national football team is the national football team of Faroe Islands and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association....
. Celtic Park was used because the fixtures were decided by a random draw and Hampden had already been booked for a Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams is a Grammy Award-nominated and ten time BRIT Awards-winning England singer-songwriter. His career started as a member of the pop band Take That in 1990, which he left in 1995 to begin his solo career....
 concert on the same date.

Media coverage

Scotland's home matches are presently covered by the pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports
Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK's main satellite television pay-TV company, BSkyB....
. Extended highlights of every Scotland home international are shown on terrestrial television by BBC Sport Scotland
BBC Scotland

BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the BBC, the Public broadcasting of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who are advised in Scotland, by the Audience Council Scotland....
. Television rights to away games vary, although the rights to all of Scotland's away matches in qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

32 teams will compete in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with one place allocated for the hosts, South Africa national football team. In the qualification process for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the six FIFA confederations were allocated a share of the 31 remaining spots on the basis of the strength of their teams....
 for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for Association football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa....
 are held by Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports

Setanta Sports is a sports broadcaster based in Republic of Ireland, operating 12 channels in 24 countries. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events to Irish expatriates....
, another pay-TV broadcaster. This has come in for criticism from the Scottish Government, who have argued that Scotland's competitive games should be included in the list of events
ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed Events

The ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed Events is a series of regulations issued by the Independent Television Commission which is designed to protect the availability of live coverage of so-called "listed events" in sport ? typically major sporting occasions ? on free-to-air services in the United Kingdom....
 which can only be broadcast on free-to-air television.

BBC Sport Scotland
BBC Scotland

BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the BBC, the Public broadcasting of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who are advised in Scotland, by the Audience Council Scotland....
, STV
STV

STV is the brand used by both ITV licensees in Northern and Central Scotland, formerly known as Grampian Television and Scottish Television respectively....
, Sky Sports
Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK's main satellite television pay-TV company, BSkyB....
, and Five are among other networks that have previously shown live fixtures. All matches are broadcast with full commentary on BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

BBC Radio Scotland is BBC Scotland's national English language radio station. It broadcasts a wide variety of programming including news, sport, light entertainment, music, The arts, comedy, drama, history and lifestyle....
 and, when schedules allow, BBC Radio 5 Live also.

In Australia, Scotland's national football team home games and selected away games are broadcast by Setanta Sports Australia
Setanta Sports Australia

Setanta Sports Australia is a sports television channel operating in Australia and is available to homes and businesses across all of Australia....
.

Colours

Scotland traditionally wear dark blue shirts with white shorts and dark blue socks, the colours of the Queens Park team who represented Scotland in the first international. The shirt is embroidered with a crest based upon the lion rampant of the Royal Standard of Scotland
Royal Standard of Scotland

The Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Royal Standard of the King of Scots or more commonly the Lion Rampant, is the Scottish Royal banner, and its correct use is restricted to only a few Great Officers who officially represent The Sovereign....
. The current change kit is all white with a pastel blue saltire
Saltire

A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross, or crux decussata , is a Heraldry symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter X. Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
 across the chest. Another style often used by Scotland comprises blue shirts, white shorts and red socks. Change colours vary, but are most commonly white or yellow shirts with blue shorts. From 1994–96 a tartan kit was used. The current version of the crest includes the Scottish flag and a background of thistles, representing the national flower of Scotland, in addition to the lion rampant.

Scotland have not always played in dark blue; on a number of occasions between 1881 and 1951 they played in the primrose and pink racing colours of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery

Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, Order of the Garter, Privy Council of the United Kingdom was a United Kingdom Liberal Party statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, also known as Archibald Primrose and Lord Dalmeny ....
. A former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom and the head of government Her Majesty's Government....
, Lord Rosebery was an influential figure in Scottish football, serving as honorary President of the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 and Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Edinburgh ; is the Capital city of Scotland, a position it has held since 1437. It is the seventh largest city in the United Kingdom and the second largest Scottish City status in the United Kingdom after Glasgow....
 team Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.

Heart of Midlothian F.C. are a football club from Edinburgh, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. They are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian F.C.....
. His colours were used most frequently in the first decade of the twentieth century, but were discontinued in 1909. The colours were briefly reprised in 1949, and were last used against France
France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football . It is fielded by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA....
 in 1951. In 1900, when Scotland defeated England 4–1. Lord Rosebery remarked, "I have never seen my colours so well sported since Ladas won the Derby".

Since 2005, the SFA have supported the use of Scots Gaelic on the national team's strip in recognition of the language's revival in Scotland.

Supporters

Scotland fans are collectively known as the Tartan Army
Tartan Army

The Tartan Army is a name given to fans of the Scotland national football team. The name derives from the wearing of tartan at football matches and when travelling abroad....
. During the 1970s, Scotland fans became notorious for their hooliganism, particularly after they invaded
Pitch invasion

A pitch invasion, known as rushing the field in the United States, occurs when a crowd of people who are watching a sports game run onto the field, to celebrate or protest about an incident, for example in games of football or cricket....
 the Wembley pitch and destroyed the goalposts after the England v Scotland match in 1977. Since then, the Tartan Army have won awards from UEFA
UEFA

The Union of European Football Associations is the administrative and controlling body for European association football. It is almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA ....
 for their combination of vocal support, friendly nature and charity work. The Tartan Army have been awarded a Fair Play
Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is conformance to the rules, spirit, and etiquette of sport. More grandly, it may be considered the ethos of sport. It is interesting that the motivation for sport is often an elusive element....
 prize by the Belgian Olympic Committee
Belgium at the Olympics

Belgium has competed at most editions of the Olympic Games after making its first appearance at the 1900 Summer Olympics. The nation was host to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp....
 and were named as the best supporters during the 1992 European Championship. The fans were also presented with a trophy for non-violence in sport and were voted by journalists to be the best supporters for their sense of fair play and sporting spirit at the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1998 FIFA World Cup by FIFA on 1 July 1992....
 in France.

Players


Current squad

The following players were selected for the squad to play Argentina
Argentina national football team

The Argentina national football team is the national football team of Argentina and is controlled by the Asociaci?n del F?tbol Argentino . Argentina has the world record for most international titles won by any national team....
 on 19 November 2008.

|}

Other recent players

The following players are not in the current squad, but have been selected to play for Scotland since 19 November 2007. |}

  • NOR Most recent cap v. Norway
    Norway national football team

    The Norwegian national football team, controlled by the Norwegian Football Association, is the national football team of Norway. The team played its first international in 1908....
    , 11 October 2008
  • ISL Most recent cap v. Iceland
    Iceland national football team

    The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
    , 10 September 2008
  • MKD Most recent cap v. Macedonia
    Republic of Macedonia national football team

    The Republic of Macedonia national football team is the national football team of the Republic of Macedonia and is controlled by the Football Federation of Macedonia....
    , 6 September 2008
  • NIR Most recent cap v. Northern Ireland
    Northern Ireland national football team

    The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football . In such events, the individual countries of the United Kingdom compete separately, but do not participate in the Olympic Games....
    , 20 August 2008
  • CZE Most recent cap v. Czech Republic
    Czech Republic national football team

    The Czech national football team is the national football team of the Czech Republic controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic....
    , 30 May 2008
  • CRO Most recent cap v. Croatia
    Croatia national football team

    The Croatia national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international Association football . The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by Slaven Bilic....
    , 26 March 2008


Honoured players

The Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 operates a roll of honour for every player who has made more than 50 appearances for Scotland. As of 2008, there are 25 members of this roll, with David Weir the most recent addition to the list. The qualifying mark of 50 appearances means that many notable Scotland players including Jim Baxter
Jim Baxter

James Curran Baxter, was a left-footed Scotland midfielder who is regarded by some as the country's greatest ever football player. He was born, educated and started his career in Fife, but his peak playing years were in the early 1960s with the Glasgow club Rangers F.C., whom he helped to win ten trophies between 1960 and 1965, and where he...
, Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher

Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scotland football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times.Gallacher lacked height and weight....
, John Greig
John Greig

John Greig Order of the British Empire is a former Scotland professional football player who, despite his boyhood allegiance to hometown team Heart of Midlothian F.C., spent his entire career in Glasgow with Rangers F.C....
, Jimmy Johnstone
Jimmy Johnstone

James Connolly "Jimmy" Johnstone , was a Scotland national football team association football player. Johnstone, known as "Jinky", was best known for his time as a Celtic F.C....
, Billy McNeill
Billy McNeill

William "Billy" McNeill Order of the British Empire DUniv is a former Scottish football er and manager....
, Bobby Murdoch
Bobby Murdoch

Robert "Bobby" Murdoch was a Scotland professional football who played for Celtic F.C. and was one of the Lisbon Lions, the Celtic team who won the UEFA Champions League in 1967....
 and Lawrie Reilly
Lawrie Reilly

Lawrence "Lawrie" Reilly is a former Scotland association football player. He was one of the "Famous Five", the Hibernian F.C. forward line during the 1950s....
 are not on the roll of honour.

The Scottish Football Museum
Scottish Football Museum

The Scottish Football Museum is the Scottish Football Association's National Museum of football , located in Hampden Park in Glasgow....
 operates a hall of fame
Hall of Fame

A hall of fame is a type of museum established for any a field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field.In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actual halls or museums which enshrine the honorees with sculptures, plaques, and displays of memorabilia....
 which is open to players and managers
Head coach

A head coach is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. He is typically paid more than other coach . Other coaches are often subordinate to the head coach, often in offense positions or defense positions, and occasionally proceeding down into individualized position coaches....
 involved in Scottish football
Football in Scotland

Football is one of the most popular Sport in Scotland and is one of the country's national sports. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite bearing the name "football" bear lit...
, meaning that membership is not restricted to people who have played for Scotland. Willie Bauld
Willie Bauld

William "Willie" Russell Logan Bauld was a Scotland football who played for Newtongrange Star F.C., Heart of Midlothian F.C., Edinburgh City F.C....
, Eric Caldow
Eric Caldow

Eric Caldow is a former Scotland international football who played for Rangers F.C., Stirling Albion F.C. and Scotland national football team....
, Jimmy Cowan
Jimmy Cowan (footballer)

James "Jimmy" Clews Cowan was a Scotland football goalkeeper who played for St. Mirren F.C., Greenock Morton F.C., Sunderland A.F.C., Third Lanark A.C....
, Alan Hansen
Alan Hansen

Alan David Hansen is a BBC television football pundit and a former football player. He played for Partick Thistle F.C. , Liverpool F.C. , and the Scotland national football team ....
, Ally McCoist
Ally McCoist

Alistair Murdoch "Ally" McCoist, Order of the British Empire is a Scottish former professional football player who played as a striker....
, Rose Reilly
Rose Reilly

Rose Reilly was a Scotland-born Women's football player, who represented the Italy women's national football team....
, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan

Gordon David Strachan Order of the British Empire is a retired Scotland football player, and is now a football head coach.He is currently manager of Celtic F.C., a role that he has held since 2005 and has seen him guide them to Scottish Premier League title in each of his three seasons in charge....
 and Eddie Turnbull
Eddie Turnbull

Edward Hunter Turnbull is a former Scottish professional association football player and manager.During the 1950s he was one of the Famous Five, the noted Hibernian F.C....
 were inducted in 2007. Sportscotland
Sportscotland

sportscotland, formerly the Scottish Sports Council, is the sport governing body for sport in Scotland. Their stated aim is to help everyone in Scotland enjoy sport's many benefits....
 operates the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

The Scottish Sports Hall of Fame is the national sports hall of fame in Scotland, initiated on St Andrew's Day , 2001. It is a joint project organised by sportscotland, the national governmental body for Scottish sport, and the National Museums of Scotland....
, which has inducted some footballers
Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

The Scottish Sports Hall of Fame is the national sports hall of fame in Scotland, initiated on St Andrew's Day , 2001. It is a joint project organised by sportscotland, the national governmental body for Scottish sport, and the National Museums of Scotland....
.

Managers

From 1872 to 1954 and 1954 to 1958 the Scotland national team was appointed by a selection committee. Andy Beattie
Andy Beattie

Andrew 'Andy' Beattie , was a Scotland professional association football player and manager. He was the first manager of the Scotland national football team....
 was manager for six matches in 1954 when Scotland competed at their first World Cup. After the tournament the selection committee resumed their duties, continuing until the appointment of Matt Busby
Matt Busby

Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby Order of the British Empire Order of St. Gregory the Great was a Scotland association football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United F.C....
 in 1958.

Statistically the most successful manager was Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish

Alexander "Alex" McLeish nicknamed "Big Eck", is a Scottish former professional football who played as a defender . Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, he played for Aberdeen F.C....
, who won seven of the ten games he took charge of. Discounting managers who have managed less than ten games, the least successful manager was Berti Vogts, who only won eight out of 31 games. As of September 2008, the current manager is George Burley
George Burley

George Elder Burley is a Scotland football coach and former player. On 24 January 2008 he was appointed manager of the Scotland national football team national team....
, who was appointed on 23 January 2008 after leaving English Championship
Football League Championship

The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League....
 club Southampton
Southampton F.C.

Southampton Football Club is a professional English Football League teams, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. The club currently plays in the Football League Championship, since relegation from the Premier League in 2005....
.
NameScotland careerPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %
Selection committee1872–1954
1954–1958
254148485858.27
1954621333.33
1958612316.66
1958211050.00
1959–19601143436.36
1960–196528173860.71
1965–1966731342.86
196640130.00
1966–1967211050.00
1967–197128981132.14
1971–19721272358.33
1973–1977381881247.37
1977–19781775541.18
1978–19856126122342.62
1985–19861034330.00
1986–19936223192037.10
1993–20027032182045.71
2002–200431871623.33
200410010.00
2004–20071675443.75
20071070370.00
2008–present713314.29
Totals 683 325 152 206 47.58


Last updated: Scotland 0–1 Argentina
Argentina national football team

The Argentina national football team is the national football team of Argentina and is controlled by the Asociaci?n del F?tbol Argentino . Argentina has the world record for most international titles won by any national team....
, 19 November 2008. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.


Records

Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish

Kenneth Mathieson 'Kenny' Dalglish Order of the British Empire is a former Scotland national football team Football player. He was famous for his successes with Celtic F.C....
 holds the record for Scotland appearances, having played 102 times between 1971 and 1986. He is the only Scotland player to have reached 100 caps
Cap (sport)

A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of soccer; however, the act of awarding a cap is now international and is applied to other sports....
. Jim Leighton
Jim Leighton

James "Jim" Leighton Order of the British Empire is a Scotland former association football Goalkeeper . Among the clubs he played for are Aberdeen F.C....
 is second, having played 91 times, a record for appearances by a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper

In many team sports, a goalkeeper is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal ....
. Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish

Alexander "Alex" McLeish nicknamed "Big Eck", is a Scottish former professional football who played as a defender . Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, he played for Aberdeen F.C....
 played for Scotland 77 times and is the third most capped player.

The title of Scotland's highest goalscorer is shared by two players. Denis Law
Denis Law

Denis Law is a retired Scottish Football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s.Law's career as a football player began at Second Division Huddersfield Town F.C....
 scored 30 goals between 1958 and 1974, during which time he played for Scotland on 55 occasions. Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish

Kenneth Mathieson 'Kenny' Dalglish Order of the British Empire is a former Scotland national football team Football player. He was famous for his successes with Celtic F.C....
 scored an equal number from 102 appearances. Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher

Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scotland football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times.Gallacher lacked height and weight....
 as well as being the third highest scorer is also the most prolific with his 23 goals coming from only 20 games (averaging 1.15 goals per game). Other notable strikers include, Lawrie Reilly
Lawrie Reilly

Lawrence "Lawrie" Reilly is a former Scotland association football player. He was one of the "Famous Five", the Hibernian F.C. forward line during the 1950s....
, Ally McCoist
Ally McCoist

Alistair Murdoch "Ally" McCoist, Order of the British Empire is a Scottish former professional football player who played as a striker....
, Mo Johnston
Mo Johnston

Maurice John Giblin "Mo" Johnston is a former Scotland football striker, who made his name playing with Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C.. He is currently the manager and Director of Football at Major League Soccer club Toronto FC....
 and Joe Jordan
Joe Jordan (footballer)

Joseph "Joe" Jordan is a Scotland Association football Coach , currently working as one of Harry Redknapp's assistants at Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur F.C.....
.

The largest margin of victory achieved by a Scotland side is 11–0 against Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)

This article deals with the Irish Football Association team up to 1950, when it last picked players from outside Northern Ireland. The current IFA team, which sometimes played as Ireland, is described in Northern Ireland national football team...
 in the 1901 British Home Championship
1901 British Home Championship

The 1901 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. England national football team won the competition with five points after strong victories over Wales national football team and Ireland national football team ....
. The record defeat occurred during the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup

The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. As the year saw the 50th anniversary of FIFA, it was appropriate for football's premier competition to be played in the home of its governing body, and Switzerland was chosen as FIFA World Cup hosts#1954 FIFA World Cup in July 1946....
, a 7–0 deficit against reigning world champions Uruguay
Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team is controlled by the Asociaci?n Uruguaya de F?tbol.Uruguay is one of the most successful national football teams in the world....
.

Scotland's 1937 British Home Championship
1937 British Home Championship

The 1937 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1936–37 seasons. The trophy was won by Wales national football team with Scotland national football team coming second....
 match against England set a new world record for a football attendance. The Hampden Park crowd was officially recorded as 149,415, though the true figure is unknown as a large number of additional fans gained unauthorised entry. This attendance was surpassed 13 years later by the 1950 World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup

The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth staging of the World Cup, and the first staged in 12 years due to World War II....
 final, but remains a European record.

United Kingdom team


Scotland has always participated by itself in most of the major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the List of men's national association football teams of the members of F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global govern...
 and the UEFA European Championship. At the Olympic Games
Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event established for both summer and winter sports. There have been two generations of the Olympic Games; the first were the Ancient Olympic Games held at Olympia, Greece, Greece....
, however, the rules only permit a United Kingdom team to compete. London's successful bid
London 2012 Olympic bid

London 2012 was the successful 2012 Summer Olympics bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics, to be held in London with most events taking place in Stratford, London, London Borough of Newham....
 for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, are due to be celebrated in London in the United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012....
, prompted suggestions that a combined UK team be created for the tournament. However, the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association

The Scottish Football Association is the Sport governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland....
 has stated that it will not participate in such a team as doing so would threaten the independent status of the Scottish side. FIFA
FIFA

The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by its acronym, FIFA , is the international sport governing body of association football....
 President Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter

Joseph S. Blatter is the 8th and current President of FIFA. He was elected on June 8, 1998, succeeding Dr. Jo?o Havelange . His Senior Vice President is Julio Grondona....
 has stated that a UK team would not threaten the continued existence of the Scotland team, but the SFA has expressed concern that a future President could take a different view.

Despite the opposition of the Scottish FA, the Welsh FA
Football Association of Wales

The 'Football Association of Wales' is the Sports governing body of association football in Wales, being a member of both FIFA and UEFA.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations which make up the International Football Association Board which is responsible for the ...
 and the Northern Irish FA
Irish Football Association

The Irish Football Association is the organising body for football in Northern Ireland, and had historically been the governing body for the whole of the Ireland....
, the formation of a squad comprising players only from England
England national football team

The English national football team represents England in international Association football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England....
 remains a possibility. Indeed, Blatter has encouraged this possibility. In response, groups representing the supporters of all four national teams have stated their opposition to a UK team and have issued a joint statement.

See also

  • List of Scotland national football team results and fixtures
  • List of foreign footballers who played for Scotland


External links