Southgate insists England's epic rivalry with Scotland'll stand the test of time

Delirium after THAT Gazza goal at Euro 96. The Tartan Army’s Wembley invasion and dismantling of the goalposts after the 2-1 win in 1977. England’s 5-0 demolition of the Scots in their own backyard in 1973.

England versus Scotland — it is a deep-rooted rivalry woven into the tapestry of our sporting traditions.

But in a world where the Premier League and Champions League are king, is it a rivalry that will stand the test of time? ‘Yes’, responded England boss Gareth Southgate emphatically.

‘My first memory is some of the Scottish fans nicking the goalposts at Wembley back in ’77.

‘When I was growing up, there was only the FA Cup final and the home internationals that were live on television, so it was the only game we saw.

‘This is horrendous what I’m going to say here ahead of tomorrow, but I was supporting Scotland in the 1978 World Cup because we had not qualified. Then we were back in ’82 and all of a sudden, onwards it was all about England. But they are great fixtures.

‘I know there’s a rivalry and I know people will be wary of it crossing a boundary, but it’s a brilliant sporting rivalry and a great game to be involved in.’

Yet if certain players are not as passionate about the rivalry as others, it would be entirely understandable. Dual nationality, even treble nationality, is common in the complex landscape of international eligibility.

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn is set to start against England on Tuesday despite being in one of Southgate’s squads in 2017. England are trying to poach Elliot Anderson from under Scotland’s nose. Scotland want to pull Harvey Barnes from England’s camp.

If the rivalry has become diluted for the modern day footballer, it is not hard to see why. But Southgate was raised in another era.