BERLIN BAWL

Don't cry a river of tears if Three Lions win the Euros. Scotland must use an Auld Enemy victory to inspire us fo greatness of our own

- KEITH JACKSON

PERHAPS now is the time for some calm before the inevitable storm.

To reflect on where Euro 2024 went so wrong for Scotland's national side and to remember that no matter what fate may have in store in Berlin tomorrow, the world will continue to turn.

Yes, it might be too difficult to imagine what life might feel like on Monday morning should England slam the tin lid on our summer of suffering.

Of course, to do so they'll have to beat the most free-flowing team at the tournament before running off with an ill-gotten crown as Kings of Europe.

But really, what difference would it make? The truth is, we should be using an England win to inspire us, not intimidate us.

Scotland's manager Steve Clarke must find a way of piggybacking on Gareth Southgate's latest journey and of convincing the nation that he too might still be capable of leading Scotland into similar realms of fancy.

An England win would be sorer on the Spaniards. They have done more than any other nation to light up a competition more dreary and dull than most could have predicted.

A triumph for Luis de la Fuente's youngsters in the finale would provide a storybook ending and a victory for all that's good, pure and proper about this, the beautiful game.

Not even the fiercest of England supporters could argue that Spain don't deserve to go the distance, given the exuberance and edge-of-theseat excitement they offered up.

Well, at least not anyone from outwith the parallel universe that is the BBC's bunker at the Brandenburg Gate.

Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand have spent so long in it they have lost touch with reality.