Source: FOOTYMAD
Memories Are Made Of This
Who would not like to be able to look back on playing for your country against Brazil? Jim Leighton can see Scotland manager Craig Levein learning more about himself and his players from this Sunday's friendly against Brazil than he would from 10 other games combined. The former Scotland goalkeeper - who played against Brazil at World Cup finals in 1990 and 1998 - knows the national squad will be counting down the minutes in La Manga until they come up against some of the best players in the world on Sunday. And, despite not being a competitive fixture, Leighton predicts both sides will be going all out for the win at the Emirates Stadium. He said: "A lot of them will really benefit from this game, it will be an education and a learning curve. The experience from this game will probably be worth more than 10 other games and it will stand them in good stead for the campaigns to come. You don't treat Brazil as a friendly. It's like other teams playing against Manchester United in England or Rangers and Celtic in Scotland. They are not allowed to play friendlies, their support demands that they win all their games. So, when you play against them, you get lifted by the opposition. I bet the boys can't wait until Sunday." Leighton fully expects some nerves beforehand but does not see Scotland being overawed by the opposition. He said: "It's something you have to be able to handle. Playing at that level you have to make sure you're not beaten before the game by the badge of the opposition that you're playing. That was one thing we handled particularly well that day in 1998, playing against the name and the badge. We certainly competed with them on every level and unfortunately the own-goal decided the game. You are always going to be nervous in a game like that. If you're not nervous in a game like that you shouldn't really be there. Nerves can be a good spur as well. Once the game starts, you don't have time for nerves but, believe me, there will be plenty beforehand." The France 98 opener - which Scotland lost thanks to a Tom Boyd own-goal - was the last meeting between the two countries. Leighton earned 91 caps in his career - second only to Kenny Dalglish - but admits that game with Brazil is the one which will live longest in the memory. He said: "We knew for six months that would be the first game so it was the only game people were speaking about for those six months. It was nice once the game had started and we could actually get on with the game. It's a day that I will never forget. It's the one game that I've played in my career that will go to the grave with me." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net) Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net) This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
