Enter Mcleish to quieten rock band Metallica
Scotland’s key Euro 2020 showdown against Belgium will be played in Brussels.
But only after the Belgian FA struck a deal with ageing American heavy metal rock band, Metallica.
Alex Mcleish’s men face a daunting task against the No.1 nation in the FIFA rankings in their fourth qualifying game for the European Championships in June.
World Cup semi-finalists Belgium play nearly all their games at their King Baudouin Stadium in their capital.
It’s such a fortress, they haven’t lost a qualifier there for 10 years. However, they were expected to move the tie with Scotland because Metallica are playing at the stadium five days later as part of their sold-out Worldwired Tour.
It looked likely the game would have to be switched due to concerns there wouldn’t be enough time to transform the 50,000-capacity ground into a rock concert venue.
The Belgian FA have now reached an agreement with the promoters and will work around the clock to ensure the stadium is ready for the gig.
Berwick Rangers manager Johnny Harvey said Shielfield was a sad place after the passing of club legend Ian “Pea” Oliver on Thursday.
The father of former player Neil, who also played for Blackburn Rovers and Falkirk, was involved with Berwick for over half a century in a number of roles.
Harvey said: “It was terrible news for me and for everyone connected with Berwick.
“I would go as far as to say that a lot of people connected with Scottish football will be upset by the news.
“He was some guy and Shielfield will be sadder without him.
“I had a chat with him on Wednesday morning on the pitch about what I was looking to do with Berwick next season.
“It is so disappointing he was not here for yesterday’s game with Stirling or for the new campaign.”
Oliver was a player, physio, coach, acting manager and groundsman before taking on his last role as kit-man. Chairman Len Eyre said: “Ian was such a popular figure not just here at Berwick but throughout football.”
n