Fans clash after England win 2-0
STREET FIGHTING between fans and police broke out in Glasgow yesterday after England's 2-0 victory over Scotland. The police, who had mounted the biggest security operation in Scottish sporting history, made 165 arrests .
That was hardly what the Tartan Army had hoped for as they arrived at Hampden Park dressed in Scotland shirts bearing the names of players whose goals had previously defeated England. "Oh Diego Maradona," they chanted to the tune of "Okey Cokey". "He put the English out, out, out." Bravehearts all, they stripped off their boxer shorts as the train pulled in, ready to show the auld enemy what was under their kilts.
Their exuberance was very different from the nervous England fans, identified on their special trains only by tiny England badges, closely filmed by police. "We went to Poland and Sweden and took our flags," said Dave Glasby, 38, a pipe layer from Rotherham. "But we didn't bring them up here, because there might be trouble."
Yet for all the Scottish spirit, England's triumph, with two goals scored in the first half, felt inevitable. "I came 600 miles from Kent without a ticket to be here," said Billy, originally from Motherwell. "I'm gutted by the result but at least I'm here with my own kind. I couldn't have stayed in England for this."
In Ross's bar, Glasgow, there was some anger. "Scotland were all over them like a rash, but they couldnae finish their dinner," said Graham Whitelaw, 22, bemoaning missed chances.
Fans pointed out the irony that England's triumph was largely thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson - just granted the Freedom of Glasgow - whose key players, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, secured victory.
As the Scots nursed their defeat, the chant across Glasgow was "We're the Tartan Army and we're off to Wembley."
MATCH REPORTS, SPORT
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