ENGLAND CLASH AWAITS IF SCOTS MAKE EURO 2020:
SCOTLAND’S reward for Euro 2020 qualification would be an Auld Enemy clash with England after Wembley was paired with Hampden in a shake-up of hosting rights yesterday.
But failure to reach the finals would mean the Tartan Army being forced to look on as Gareth Southgate’s men and their fans invade our national stadium for a group fixture.
Hampden is already guaranteed to be the venue for three group games and one knockout match in the last 16, with UEFA spreading the tournament around a number of host cities across the continent for the first time.
The governing body yesterday removed Brussels’ right to host matches in the tournament because of problems with a planned new stadium to be built there.
They have now shifted the three group games destined for the troubled Eurostadium project to Wembley, setting up the prospect of a delicious Battle of Britain encounter.
UEFA confirmed to Sportsmail yesterday that, with Hampden and Wembley paired together in a random draw, the two grounds will co-host an entire group schedule.
And European football’s governing body also revealed that, with all host nations guaranteed at least two home games, Scotland and England will definitely be paired together if both qualify.
The promise of a cross-Border match-up in a major finals will definitely be seen as an added incentive for Scotland to end what would be a 22-year wait to reach a major tournament.
UEFA have currently offered no hint on whether a fixture between the nations would be at Hampden or Wembley, kicking that decision into the long grass until qualification is decided.
With the home of English football having already been guaranteed a round of 16 match, two semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final itself, it would seem unlikely that it would also get the nod for a third home game in the groups.
Sportsmail understands that, in the event of Scotland not making the finals, England would definitely play one group game at Hampden — making tough viewing for Tartan Army punters.
One unwelcome knock-on effect of yesterday’s changes is that Hampden has missed out on the chance to stage the opening game of the tournament.
But supporters who roared with delight as Leigh Griffiths sent two spectacular free-kicks beyond English goalkeeper Joe Hart in the World Cup qualifier last summer will undoubtedly feel that the chance of a repeat encounter with our oldest rivals more than makes amends.
South of the border there is already talk of Southgate’s men playing up to six games at Wembley if they get all the way to the final.
Only the quarter-final stage, which has so often proved England’s undoing at major tournaments, will definitely not be played at Wembley.
But a minimum guaranteed four games at home puts England in a far superior position than any of the other 23 competing nations in a tournament devised by former UEFA president Michel Platini — and originally planned to take in 13 host cities.
Sandwiched between World Cups in difficult environments in Russia and Qatar, Euro 2020 has been earmarked by many English fans as the most likely shot at success.
The FA had not requested any more matches but had been asked by UEFA to supply a backstop proposal if Cardiff and Stockholm bids did not meet requirements.
The Welsh FA expressed their major disappointment at being overlooked, releasing a statement pointing out: ‘Over the past four years, Wales has successfully staged three UEFA events — firstly, the Super Cup final in 2014, followed by the men’s and women’s Champions League finals in June this year.
‘UEFA ranked the Champions League final as one of their best events and praised the way in which the Cardiff 2017 local organising committee delivered the showpiece.
‘The concept of taking Euro 2020 to 13 different countries was devised to allow smaller countries, like Wales, to have a unique opportunity of being involved in staging a major tournament.
‘Wales has never staged a Euro or World Cup final and this was its one and only chance of doing so.
‘The FAW complied with all of the bid requirements and has written to UEFA to request feedback on the decision so that it can understand the reasons behind the vote for future reference.’
Cash-conscious UEFA see Wembley as their ‘banker stadium’ after it delivered record profits from Champions League finals in 2011 and 2013.
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the Euro 2020 Finals, of course, will depend on who they appoint as manager following Gordon Strachan’s departure after he was at the helm of a second successive failed qualifying campaign.
On that front, the full SFA Board heard recommendations from the recruitment sub-committee yesterday — and authorised further talks with the Irish FA over an approach for Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
It is understood, however, that the Hampden power brokers are keen to progress on a softly-softly basis.
They are eager to do everything by the book and maintain good relations with their counterparts in Belfast.