EWOOD stalwart Colin Hendry (pictured) has pinpointed the burning passion of the Scottish clan as their main weapon in Euro 96.

The big Blackburn Rovers central defender was today helping Craig Brown's put the finishing touches to Scotland's preparation for tomorrow's opening game against Holland at Villa Park.

And Hendry is bubbling over at the prospect of pitting his talent's against Europe's finest.

"It's very much the highlight of my international career.

"Our collectiveness is the greatest thing we have," he explained.

"It might sound a bit patriotic to say that, but it's the way it is.

"We are all good lads together and the banter off the field is fantastic and we take that togetherness out on the field with us and look out for each other."

For Hendry, running out to face Holland on Monday to take his bow in a major championships will be the culmination of three years' work since breaking into the Scotland set-up.

"I've waited a long time for this and it will be very special. The tournament being in England gives it even more spice for me and I'm looking forward to it.

"We have taken some stick in the warm-up programme - but the time to judge us is here and now.

"Even if Kluivert doesn't play they could use Dennis Bergkamp further forward and I know all about him after playing against him twice with Arsenal this season."

Scotland trained at their National Farmers Union Mutual sports complex near Stratford-upon-Avon yesterday and will do so again this morning.

Then manager Craig Brown and his assistant Alex Miller will head straight to Wembley to watch England face Switzerland.

Brown is desperate for Scotland to break their run of opening defeats - which stretches back over three tournaments - against the Dutch on Monday.

"I've been involved with the international team since the 1986 World Cup when we lost the first match 1-0 to Denmark," said Brown.

"Since then, we have lost two more by the same scoreline against Costa Rica and Holland.

"The first match is crucial. I'd be deeply disappointed if we lost it because it leaves you an uphill struggle - to lose it doesn't eliminate you but to win it is a great morale-booster."

Aberdeen's Stewart McKimmie had his training restricted to swimming yesterday while Eoin Jess, of Coventry, had to pull out before the end of the morning session with a slight thigh problem.

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