Exclusive, by Peter White

COLIN Hendry of Blackburn Rovers is already savouring what will be the pinnacle of his career when he leads out Scotland as captain against Brazil in tomorrow's opening World Cup Finals game.

"It will be the proudest moment of my life as a footballer," said Hendry. "I can think of only one prouder moment and that would be to climb up those steps and actually collect the trophy.

"But you have to remember we are 125-1 to do that...

"To think I will be the only other British player apart from Bobby Moore to captain a team in the opening match of the World Cup Finals is a great feeling.

"I am not only so proud for myself but also for the club and for the town of Blackburn," Hendry said from his French base yesterday.

With the Tartan army again out in force in France as the Scots bid to qualify for the second phase of the World Cup for the first time in their history Hendry and his men are guaranteed vocal backing.

And with Brazil attracting their traditional following there will be no shortage of noise in the Stade de France. For Rovers forward Kevin Gallacher that only adds to the appeal because he knows that he and the rest of the squad are well-prepared following their pre-tournament trip to the United States.

"We will be prepared for tomorrow, being in America the atmosphere was like the World Cup - the crowds were high.

"It was magnificent and that spurs you on a little bit when it is like that, if it is quiet there is no edge to the game," said Gallacher.

Whether he is played up front with Rangers' Gordon Durie or Celtic's Darren Jackson - the last Old Firm battle of the season - either man will adopt the same role alongside Gallacher.

And Gallacher believes manager Craig Brown has been rewarded for the continuity he has instilled in the ranks, effectively giving him his own loyalty bonus.

"Mixing different people together doesn't always gel, but we know we have a good squad, the results have been going well," said Gallacher.

"The thing is Craig has had us all together now for the past four to five years so we are now playing and responding like a club side. Everyone knows each other and everybody knows how each other plays so that bonding has been done and shows itself on the pitch.

"There is a real spirit and that is due to Craig, Alex Miller and all the backroom staff. They have got the lads together."

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