Poll: Scots support England in Euro 2004 battle

Nearly one third of Scots say they will be supporting England during Euro 2004, according to a newspaper poll.

Exactly 30% of those quizzed north of the border for the Daily Record survey said they would back England in the tournament.

One in four Scots wanted to see David Beckham lift the trophy, another 25% hoped the team played well and one in 10 said they would like to see England reach the finals.

However, the survey also found that many Scots were still riled by the thug element among English fans and by over-zealous TV commentators like John Motson.

When asked what put people off supporting England, more than a third complained of “over the top TV and newspaper coverage of victories”, while one in four (24%) Scots said they found the behaviour of England fans a turn-off.

The survey found a hardcore of Tartan Army diehards remained – one in five Scots quizzed wanted Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men to lose every game they played.

When asked how they regarded the England football team in comparison with five years ago – when the Scottish Parliament was introduced – 21% said they felt less hostility.

Welcoming the poll, former TV pundit Jimmy Hill told the Record: “I think this is a sign that Scots fans are maturing.

“I have always been of the belief that all British teams should be regarded as allies.”