Would you believe it? First Minister Alex Salmond backs England for the World Cup

• Alex Salmond with Scottish football fans during the 1998World Cup

in France. This summer, the First Minister will back the Auld Enemy

Just one in five Scottish people will back England in South Africa this summer after Scotland failed to qualify, a YouGov poll for The Scotsman shows. Far more, 30 per cent, will support a different country.

In a display of unity with the rest of the UK, both Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie and Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said they would be cheering on the England squad.

Perhaps the most surprising response came from First Minister Alex Salmond whose spokesman, when pushed, admitted he too would be backing the Auld Enemy.

The YouGov survey last week polled more than 1,000 people on political opinions, from Gordon Brown's standing as Prime Minister to how to tackle the deficit.

On the football front, they were asked: "As the only UK team to have qualified, are you going to be supporting England in this year's football World Cup?"

Twenty-one per cent said yes, 30 per cent would back a different team, and 44 per cent said no, because they didn't follow football. Five percent were "don't knows".

Those responding "no" were strongest in the age 18 to 34 group, falling to just 19 per cent among those aged 55 plus while those who can still remember the 1966 World Cup appear to be more supportive of England.

"Although it's hugely disappointing Scotland didn't qualify, I'm looking forward to the World Cup," said Mr Salmond in a statement issued by his spokesman.

"It's great for African football that it's being held there for the first time and it would be terrific for the tournament if South Africa reach the latter stages.

"I don't root against England – they have some fine players and under the impressive Fabio Capello are capable of being involved deep into the knock-out stages. I wish them well."

Pushed as to whether or not he would back England his spokesman said: "Yes he will".

The Scottish Labour leader Mr Gray, said: "I hope that England win and also play well, although I've always had a soft spot for Brazil."

Tory leader Ms Goldie, said: "There is only one team from the four home nations, that's England, that's who I'll be backing." Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott will be supporting Liverpool players whoever they play for, his office said. What would happen in a "face-off" was not clear.

If Scottish politicians are carefully saying the sensible thing, Tam Ferry of the Association of Tartan Army Clubs did not mince his words yesterday.

"Football is all about rivalries and I'm not surprised fans won't be supporting England," he said.

"There's nothing xenophobic about it, it's purely about football. That's the nature of the beast.

"If they were playing table- tennis against the Congo, I'd wear my Congo T-shirt."