McArthur eager to write his own piece of history
S UCCESSIVE generations of Scotland fans enjoy their own special memories of the Auld Enemy fixture. Some still vividly recall Bobby Brown’s side becoming unofficially the best team on the planet after beating World Cup holders England 3-2 at Wembley in 1967.
For others it’s the Wembley turf being torn up and the crossbar pulled down after goals from Gordon McQueen and Kenny Dalglish secured a riotous 2-1 victory in 1977.
The one James McArthur will never forget came as he took a bus home from football training at the age of 12.
Over a crackly radio, he listened intently to commentary from London as Don Hutchison headed past David Seaman to secure a 1-0 win in the second leg of a Euro 2000 play-off in November 1999.
That remains Scotland’s last win over England but, 18 years on, McArthur will head to Hampden this weekend harbouring a dream of his own.
The 29-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder wants to add his name to the roll call of Scotland heroes in this fixture and create memories that will never be forgotten by the young fans of today.
‘When you go out on that pitch against England you have the chance to become a hero for Scotland,’ said McArthur.
‘Every Scotland win against England is famous. People remember the players who have scored against England down through the years.
‘As a boy, I remember where I was when Don Hutchison scored in 1999. It will always stick in my head.
‘I was on a bus. I had just finished training with St Johnstone and the game was on the radio. That’s my first proper Scotland memory.
‘Now, on Saturday, we all have a chance to make a kid like me remember a goal like that.
‘Obviously it’s about trying to stay in contention in the group and trying to qualify for the World Cup. That’s the main aim. But you also have the chance to make history that will stick in the heads of young kids coming up.
‘That’s the opportunity every single player on Saturday will have. If we get a victory, it would be monumental for the country.’
Should a Scotland player become the first since Richard Gough in 1985 to score a Hampden winner against England it would be more than just a first positive Auld Enemy memory for the Millennials. An unexpected three points for Gordon Strachan’s side would throw Group F wide open and renew hopes of the nation reaching its first major finals since 1998. ‘It’s all change if we win, definitely,’ said McArthur (left). ‘A lot of people were saying before the last qualifying game against Slovenia at Hampden that we were out of the reckoning to reach the World Cup.
‘But in the changing room we still believed. We were determined to do everything we possibly could to make sure we were still in with a chance.
‘Chris Martin getting that late winner changed everything — and getting a win over England this weekend would change everything again.
‘We’re confident we can put in a good performance and get a result.’
By contrast, an England win would leave Scotland on just seven points.
Victory for Slovakia in Lithuania on top of that would see Strachan’s men a full five points off second place with four games remaining. No matter what unfolds at Hampden, England will remain top of the qualification group table.
Given the history of the Auld Enemy fixture, though, McArthur believes it’s Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who will be feeling the heat.
‘I think England have more pressure on them,’ said the former Hamilton star.
‘I do think there is an awful lot of pressure on their players.
‘They are coming to Hampden, where we have a decent record. Hopefully we will make it very, very hard for them. I don’t know what the fixture means to the England players but it definitely means so much to us Scotland players — and to the fans, the manager and all the staff.
‘It means everything to us. It’s a very, very big game and everyone is looking forward to it.
‘It’s not like any other game. But in a way, we have to treat it like it is just any other game.
‘We have to go in with the approach that we are here to do our jobs.
‘It’s not a case of getting hyped up, saying: “It’s England — let’s go!”.
‘You are going out to do a professional job for the manager, for the country and for each other.’