Scotland v Italy: Barbarians at the gate

By European Football
March 23 2005

Invading hordes are nothing new to Italian cities, in the 4th century Rome herself was attacked and sacked by the Vandals, the last Emperor Romulus Augustus, was at one time kidnapped and eventually killed by Goths (although I am reliably informed Marylyn Manson has an alibi).

But this time the horde will be descending on Milan, and hopefully a little more peaceably than in days past. Scotland fans are a good bunch on the whole and have a good reputation for travelling every where except perhaps England, So Manger Walter Smith is hopeful that the legions of Tartan Army fans will back their side to the full and leave the San Siro with an unexpected result, although he stayed shy of predicting a win.

"First and foremost we have to improve performances. That is the biggest thing for me, I want to see a good performance.”

"And if we can get a good performance then that can lead us to better results."

"We are hopeful of getting an uplift but any country in the world going to play Italy in the San Siro would find it a difficult match.”

"The main thing for us is to show everyone that we are able to lift ourselves and get better performances."

"You have got to enjoy it. That is part and parcel of playing football. If you are going to play football you want to be involved in places like the San Siro.”

"As a club manager I always enjoyed the Champions League games. The results didn't always go for us but it was the arena you wanted to be involved in.”

"It's the same at international level - these are the type of game you want to be involved in."