Scotland urged to make joint Euro bid

The directors of Euro 2000 have urged Scotland to make a joint bid to host the tournament in 2008.

The Scottish Football Association are already considering the possibility of bidding to stage the event, and Dutch FA Secretary Harry Been has claimed a bid with Ireland and Wales could succeed, and has even offered to act as a consultant.

"I have absolutely no doubt that with Scotland's great tradition for football a tournament held there could be a huge success," Been said.

"I've seen some of your stadia and, although it might have to be a joint bid with Ireland and Wales, there is no reason why it could not be a success along with financial assistance from the government.

"Myself and some of the other Dutch directors are taking on some consultancy work. We are supposed to be helping Japan and Korea for 2002 and Germany for the 2006 World Cup but I'd happily work for Scotland if they asked."

Belgium's Alain Courtois added: "I think it is feasible for you if you have the right strategies in place, the right planning and the right help from outside agencies."

But SFA chief executive David Taylor insists backing from the Scottish Executive and positive feedback from Uefa would be essential before submitting a bid.

He said: "We are still looking at the feasibility of the exercise and a lot of discussions are taking place.

"We've spoken to key people and Uefa are central to that because they are the ones who choose the winner.

"No bid would be credible without wholehearted support from the Scottish Executive."