OCH AYE THE NEW FOR GAZ Cahill can’t wait to
Tackle Scots for first time
GARY CAHILL cannot wait for the renewal of football’s oldest international rivalry when his England side face Scotland next week.
The “Auld Enemies” were first at each other’s throats in 1872 and – apart from the war years – played annually until 1989.
Since then the two countries have met on only three occasions.
The 111th clash, in a friendly at Wembley next Wednesday, will be a unique occasion for a new generation of players – and something Cahill cannot wait to experience.
“It is an exciting prospect,” said the Chelsea and Three Lions centre-half
“It is the sense of the occasion and the atmosphere you look forward to the most.
“It is the local rivalry that gets your mouth watering.
Folklore
“Everybody is looking forward to the fixture and no doubt the buildup will be big.”
Cahill added: “People always say there is no such thing as a friendly. But this definitely won’t be. Both teams will be going at it to get a result.”
Cahill was only nine when Paul Gascoigne lifted the ball over Colin Hendry’s head and drilled it past Andy Goram in the group stages of Euro 96 – a goal that has gone down in English footballing folklore.
“I have vague memories of that game from the highlights I have seen, especially that goal,” Cahill said. “It has been a long time.” England face vital World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine in September.
And Cahill is buoyed going into the clashes – especially after his impressive performance alongside Phil Jagielka in the 2-2 with Brazil at the Maracana in June.
“I feel very confident playing with Jags,” he said.
“Because we have played together for the last couple of games, people seem to think we have been doing it for ages.
“But it has only been the last couple of games. I do enjoy playing with him, though, and we’ve done well when we have played together.”