Bid to host Euro 2008 finals set to hot up

THE most important date for the joint Scotland/Ireland committee bidding to host the European Championship finals of 2008 is September 16.

That is when the UEFA panel visit Scotland and Ireland to view potential venues for the matches. It goes without saying that FAI officers will hope to have a definite site and building plans for the proposed National Stadium available by then.

Time is short but the people behind the joint bid are quite bullish about their chances of success. They plan a press reception in Dublin tomorrow at which a "major announcement" about the bid will be made.