Colin Hendry joins Scotland’s Euro Stories with Sunsport and Superscoreboard

COLIN HENDRY recalls the eyes of the world falling on Scotland in the opening game of a major tournament.

The legend they called Braveheart remembers facing the ultimate test, taking on reigning world champions Brazil at France 98.

3

They had Cafu and Roberto Carlos marauding down the flanks, Dunga calling the shots in midfield, and Rivaldo tucked in behind Ronaldo.

But Hendry — who led the Scots in the narrow 2-1 defeat 26 years ago — reckons Friday’s Euro 2024 opener against hosts Germany in Munich could be even HARDER.

He said: “It will be an atmosphere the players have never seen before. It may affect one or two.

“It’s the host nation at home, with the whole stadium driving the Germans forward.

“It was different for us in Paris against Brazil because it was neutral.

“This will be harder because 80 per cent of the crowd are backing Germany on their own patch.”

Scotland failed to kick off their World Cup 98 campaign with a point at the Stade de France.

But former captain Hendry believes they need to grab at least a draw in the Munich Arena.

He added: “It’s so important we don’t lose the first game. We can’t.

“The atmosphere will be fantastic, though. I remember Euro 96, and of all the games I’ve played in, the atmosphere for the opening match at Villa Park is right up there.

“It was really unbelievable — and we drew 0-0 with the Dutch.

“The point gave us a good platform to build from, and we almost qualified for the latter stages.

“I have a ticket waiting for me if Scotland get through this time.

“I’ll miss the group games because I’m working at fanzones.

“But I’ve been promised a ticket if we get through — so they need to get out of the group!

“Traditionally, we haven’t scored enough goals to get past the group stage. It might be different this time with Scott McTominay and John McGinn contributing goals from the middle of the park.

“If that goal threat stays, and we’re better than the last few friendly games, we’ll have a chance.

SCOTLAND’S Euro Stories continues in The Scottish Sun with Colin Hendry, who played at Euro 96 and France 98.

In conjunction with Clyde One Superscoreboard, we’re speaking to six heroes who starred for the national team at major finals.

You can watch the full video interviews online at www.thescottishsun.co.uk and www.youtube.com/ @TheScottishSunSPORT

“There are big similarities between back then in the 90s and now. We have players who are winning things.

“We had Paul Lambert winning the Champions League back then, and Andy Robertson winning it in recent years.

“We had the Blackburn boys winning titles back then and McTominay winning the FA Cup now.”

Hendry hopes to be back up in Keith for some of the tournament, having watched England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy back in his hometown during Covid.

He recalled: “I caused a stir on my social media after England lost the final of the last Euros on penalties to Italy.

“I just wrote, ‘Does anyone fancy any more parmesan?’ The rage! My inbox was bursting.”

Hendry recalls the pain of exiting Euro 96 on goal difference.

And he’ll never forget the thrill two years later of leading his kilted team-mates into the Stade de France ahead of the Brazil clash.

Hendry said: “The kilts were Craig Brown’s idea, the SFA supported him and it was a masterstroke.

“We walked out on to the pitch two hours before the game. Craig told us to go out and sample it.

“We saw our families and we went across and acknowledged the Brazil fans, who were unbelievable.

“You could still smoke in the stadium, so there was a haze and that Samba beat. We went down the other side to see the Tartan Army with bottles of Buckfast and their tattoos!”

Back at Euro 96, Hendry couldn’t prevent Paul Gascoigne scoring THAT goal at Wembley.

And he recalls a tidal wave of emotions on the night they crashed out, despite beating the Swiss 1-0 at Villa Park.

Hendry added: “The headline in the paper down in Blackburn before Euro 96 had big Al Shearer saying, ‘I’ll bring my medal back to show Colin’. Well, I’m still waiting!

“On another day, Gary McAllister would score that penalty against England at Wembley.

“You’ve got Uri Geller in the background giving it the big one about moving the ball, which is obviously a load of rubbish.

Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcast

SUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.

Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.

And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.

You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.

What are you waiting for, it’s time to Go Ballistic!

“In all honesty, 2-0 flattered England. Gazza has done that kind of thing to better footballers than me. He is arguably England’s greatest-ever player.

“If David Seaman hadn’t let one through his legs against the Dutch when we were beating the Swiss, we’d have been through.

“I looked at Craig and he said, ‘Get back’ when he thought we were through — then shouted, ‘Get up’ when he realised the Dutch had scored.

“Ally McCoist scored the worldie and it was, ‘Get back’. The Dutch scored at Wembley, it was, ‘Get up!’.”

Hendry will always value his special relationship with boss Brown, who took Scotland to back-to-back major tournaments in 96 and 98.

3

He passed away in June last year, but the former centre-half knows he’ll never be forgotten by the Tartan Army.

Hendry said: “Craig was great when I lost my wife, Denise.

“He was living in the Preston area and knocked on the door one night with Archie Knox.

“He said, ‘Right, big man. We’re going out for something to eat and a pint’. He was solid right through all the phone calls throughout her illness, and when things took a turn for the worse.

“Craig was more than just a manager. I can’t talk about him highly enough as a human being.”

Subscribe to our brand new channel on YouTube – Scottish Sun SPORT

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page