Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee admits he has been as frustrated as any England fan about the national side's lack of success over the years.
McGhee is plotting a win over the Auld Enemy in their challenge match at Wembley on Wednesday night, but living and working so far south of the border has made him a supporter of the English side.
Speaking at the Scotland team hotel in St Albans, the former Reading, Leicester and Wolves boss, who also managed Millwall, Brighton and Bristol Rovers, said: "As a Scotsman who has plied a lot of his trade in England, particularly as a manager, I am always an England fan.
"When Scotland aren't there I am an England fan.
"I have made my living here and therefore I feel entitled to think like that.
"And like many England fans, I have often been frustrated.
"Going back all the way to when Graham Taylor was the manager, I was frustrated then because I thought they had the potential to be more successful than they were.
"Obviously Bobby Robson came close (1990 World Cup semis) but as I say, like many England supporters looking in, I have been frustrated but I don't have an easy fix for you here.
"I think they have fantastic players, I think they have the potential to go all the way in any competition that they play in but repeatedly that often doesn't happen.
"I think they have the makings of a team that could go very, very far if and when they qualify for the World Cup which I think they will."
While the former Aberdeen striker is relaxed about his affection for the England team, he is quick to point out that the highlight of his successful career was scoring for Scotland in the home international match against the English at Hampden in 1984.
"I hope the players enjoy the fact that they are getting the opportunity to play against England at Wembley," he said.
"It is a fantastic stage to play on.
"Without any shadow of a doubt the highlight of my career, against all the leagues and cups including the European Cup Winners Cup that I won, is scoring against England so I think it is important."
However, while McGhee and manager Gordon Strachan are both passionate Scots, he insists a "scientific" approach will be taken to the Wembley game much in the same way a 1-0 win over Croatia in June was fashioned.
Asked if there would be a Braveheart-style of motivation would be used, McGhee replied: "I think not.
"I think Gordon's style is not to hype too much with that sort of rhetoric.
"I think Gordon will talk about the football and the match itself, I think that will be the focus.
"I think we have got to be scientific about it, we have to talk about their players and the problems they are going to give us, talk about their strengths and weaknesses and our strengths and weaknesses and try find some way of overcoming them.
"I think that will be the focus for Gordon and not the bombastic, 'Flower of Scotland' type of thing, I don't think that will be mentioned.
"Given our recent history that (a win) would be a fantastic result.
"Anyone who comes to Wembley and gets anything, regardless of how frustrated England fans may have been at times, have done really, really well.
"So, even on the back of the Croatia game, coming here and getting a result, whatever their team is, would be a sensational result."
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