Renewal of 'Auld Enemy' match gets MPs' backing

GORDON Smith has insisted the Scottish Football Association remains fully committed to the first Scotland v England international for more than a decade.

Scotland Secretary Jim Murphy told MPs yesterday he had spoken to the SFA about the return of the fixture, adding in somewhat unparliamentary language: "Bring it on."

At Commons question time, Murphy also pointed to the imminent return of the Home Internationals, with the Republic of Ireland replacing England.

Murphy claimed the SFA withdrew from an agreement for Scotland to play England in a friendly two years ago.

SFA chief executive Smith, who has long championed the return of the fixture, said: "There has long been a debate on the viability of restoring the historic Auld Enemy fixture against England, but many circumstances have prohibited this, not least available dates on an already congested domestic and international fixture schedule.

"It is my wish that the game can be revived in some form in the near future and, indeed, we came close to reaching agreement with the Football Association in England to organise a friendly match two years ago.

"Nothing has changed in that regard since then but we are, as always, willing to engage in open dialogue with our English counterparts.

"The Scottish FA has always been receptive to new ideas, culminating in the conception of the Four Nations tournament – incorporating Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – which is scheduled to commence next year."

The annual football tournament between the UK's national teams lasted for a century until 1984.

Responding to a suggestion from independent MP for Croydon Central Andrew Pelling that the promotion of Scottish culture throughout the UK could be encouraged by having the Old Firm play in the English leagues, Murphy said: "What I do think would enhance cross-border cultural exchange would be a return of the Scotland versus England friendly football matches."

He added: "I think it would be a remarkable sporting event and a highlight of the football calendar, so bring it on."

An FA spokesman said: "We are aware of the significance of an England-Scotland fixture and the high level of interest it would generate.

" The two teams last met in 1999 at Wembley in a play-off for a place at Euro 2000. England won the tie 2-1 on aggregate.