Just about any hard-luck story is believable with Scotland but I reckon Gareth will be having a few sleepless nights

BRAZIL BACKING SCOTLAND

- MIKE WALTERS

THE great bon viveur had just come off the air, after an audience with Jose Mourinho, and the Special One’s wisdom refreshed the parts Alan Brazil’s other guests couldn’t reach.

“After more than a year of watching football in empty stadiums I was feeling a bit underwhelmed about this tournament,” admitted the perpetually-parched talk SPORT break fast show host.

“But after listening to Jose, I’m raring to go. He was in great form. Some people don’t like the way his teams play football but he’s still got this aura about him.

“Before talking to him my last four at the Euros were Belgium, France, England and Italy.

“But he reckons Portugal will take some stopping if they dominate the ball and keep it high up the pitch. After all, they are the defending champions – and they’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I would never write off the Italians but now I’ve met Jose, I’ve got to switch to Portugal.”