TWENTY years ago Rovers boss Graeme Souness captained Scotland in their World Cup clash with Brazil.

On that day the brilliant Brazilians put the Scots to the sword, beating them 4-1, but Souness is convinced Sven-Goran Eriksson's side need not suffer the same fate.

"This is the best chance England has had to win the World Cup since 1966 and I think they can do it," he said as he looked ahead to the big game in Shizuoka tomorrow.

"I think that Brazil are the only team left that England would not fancy meeting and I do think they can beat them.

"I would take them to beat Senegal or Turkey in the semi-final and then they are in the final.

"They would fancy themselves against Germany after what happened in the last game between the two and I think they would beat Spain.

"That only leaves Brazil as a big problem but if they can shackle Ronaldo and Rivaldo they will be okay. The way England have defended at the back they can do that.

"I am surprised that France, Argentina and Italy are all out because on their day I think they can beat any team in the world. But now they have gone it is wide open for England - if they can beat Brazil."

That result was one that was beyond Souness and his side under manager Jock Stein.

"I remember what it was like playing against Brazil in Spain," he said. "It was 90 degrees and we were lined up sweating like pigs. I looked across to Socrates, their captain, and he and the rest of them looked as cool as cucumbers. They were just glistening.

"Then we lined up for the national anthems and standing right in front of us there were some very attractive young women who were wearing next to nothing.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game and then we made the big mistake of scoring first. David Narey got a great goal and then we were beaten 4-1.

"Before the game we were not thinking about how special it was to play Brazil in the World Cup, we just thought that our group might come down to goal difference and that is how it proved. Brazil were one of the favourites and they had a very good team."

But no matter how good Socrates, Zico and co were, they did not win the World Cup as they were beaten by a Paolo Rossi inspired Italy in the second phase.

And that is just one other reason why the Rovers boss feels that England's time might have come.