John Collins largely unknown to English audiences epitomised both traits working tirelessly for the cause while seldom looking inferior to either Edgar Davids

John Collins, largely unknown to English audiences, epitomised both traits, working tirelessly for the cause while seldom looking inferior to either Edgar Davids or Clarence Seedorf in possession.
Invidious as it may seem to single out individuals after an afternoon of exemplary defensive solidarity, Scotland were also indebted to Andy Goram for what must rank as the save of the tournament in the early stages Had he not made it, they would have been chasing the game. The Dutch paraded their world-ranked stars, the highrollers from Ajax and Italy. Against that, Scotland presented not only the anticipated resilience, spirit and organisation, but no little ability either. Collective responsibility of a more wholesome variety brought Scotland, 80-1 outsiders to win Euro 96, a deserved point in their opening Group A fixture against the Netherlands, the 11-2 second favourites, in the Villa Park sunshine yesterday. If they can harness their passion and use it constructively, who knows? They are not the no- hopers people think.” The author in both instances? George Graham.Another optimistic Scot: the defender Stewart McKimmie, right-back against the Dutch yesterday, has booked a family holiday – starting the day after the last Group A fixture.. Realistically, I just can’t see Scotland making it beyond the qualifying group.”From the Sun last week: “The fixture list is very much in Scotland’s favour.. Maybe they are peaking at the right time… Minchia, non era mai rigore.”Scottish doom and gloom – or dreams of fame and gloryFrom the July issue of Goal magazine: “So definitely a place in the last four for England.

Unfortunately I don’t think Scotland will be there with them… Scotland’s Gary McAllister, we learn, “possesses an extremely potential physique” while the ubiquitous Mr McKimmie is, apparently, “a little too rough in his actions.”There are many more in similar style, but perhaps the best of the lot is Turkey’s top striker, Hakan Sukur who, according to Don Balon, “is an authentic panzer.”EURO 96RIP-OFFSNo 2: At Old Trafford on Sunday, half-litre bottles of Manchester United “own-brand” mineral water… at pounds 1.50.FOOTBALL: THE UNIVERSALLANGUAGE”Dai, arbitro! Hai bisogno degli occhiali. His ability to ghost into scoring positions troubled the Danes, while he also underlined a penchant for wickedly flighted long-range shooting.On a balmy night in Sheffield, Paulo Sousa revealed the potential to become a performer on a par with the great No 10s. The coming days will provide an intriguing indication as to whether it will be fulfilled.Phil ShawStriking to the sound of panzers…The most entertaining of the many Euro 96 magazines on the newsagents’ shelves is the English-language tournament preview published by Don Balon of Barcelona.It contains by far the best statistical package of any of the Euro magazines – but it is the translations of the player profiles that stand out. But in Florence he has tended to be overshadowed by the cult of Gabriel Batistuta and, with the national side, Paulo Sousa and Joao Pinto have bigger reputations.Nominally a midfielder, he is at his most dangerous exploiting the space behind the main attacker. Indeed, he might have finished with the first Portuguese hat-trick in a major tournament since Eusebio single-handedly overturned North Korea’s 3-0 lead at Goodison Park 30 years ago.In a sense, Rui Costa has already confirmed his arrival as a major player on the world stage, having established himself in Italy’s Serie A with Fiorentina after a pounds 5m move from Benfica.

In the tradition of legends of the past

MAN ON
THE SPOTRui Costa(Portugal)The number on his shirt might not have stood out had it not been for the flapping locks, the rhythmic way he accelerated away from opponents, and a hunger for the ball.Rui Costa may not be quite ready to be ranked alongside Pele, Platini and Maradona among football’s great No 10s, yet the signs are that he is well on the way. By the time Hillsborough opened its gates on Sunday night, three matches at Euro 96 had provided plenty of talking points, if precious little to justify the hype and hopes of a continent.It was left to Portugal’s youthful proteges, and the 24-year-old Rui Costa in particular, to make the heart dance – and provoke palpitations in Denmark’s defence. Pride intact, just, while Northamptonshire’s target is Lord’s.Maybe, if Bailey’s team could score their runs more quickly in the four- day format to allow maximum bowl-out time, they would have hopes of winning the title for the first time in their history. Over recent years, the best sides, Warwickshire, Essex and Middlesex, have done just that.. Pollard, whose 40 spanned 199 balls, had been dropped, crucially, on Saturday evening by Emburey at first slip off Curtly Ambrose.As for pitches here, this one was lifeless. Frank Dalling, the new groundsman, worked 25 years with Ron Allsopp, the Titan of Trent Bridge turf for 41 years, before taking over his role this summer.