England World Cup star, Sir Geoff Hurst, wants Scotland to reach the final of the tournament this summer – but wants the team to be thrashed by the Three Lions.
The West Ham legend became the first man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final when England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley in 1966.
He said he was delighted that Scotland qualified for this summer’s showpiece tournament to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico – with Hearts’ Craig Gordon and goalscorer Lawrence Shankland and Hibs’ Grant Hanley all playing in the clincher against Denmark.
Sir Geoff, now 84 and the last surviving member of England’s legendary winning team, revealed he hopes Steve Clarke’s side go far – but not as far as Thomas Tuchel’s England.
He told the Unmissable in Sport podcast, hosted by auctioneers Budds: “I had to be positive as a player, in the past, as a character and that’s me.
“So it wouldn’t surprise me or be a shock to me if we won the World Cup. I always think positively as a player and, as a fan, yeah we can do it.”
Asked about Scotland’s chances, he said: “Let me say, my second game was against Scotland and my first goal.
“It’s a fantastic country. Naturally the football is not quite as powerful as the (English) Premier League but I’m a big supporter of the country, the people.
“I mean, I’ve bumped into a few Scots – and they’ve bumped into me – over the years. I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted you’re in the World Cup and I wish you good luck.
“I’d love to meet you in the final – and stuff you 4-0.”
He added: “The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots, I want to see them do well in all sports, not just football, rugby and so on.”
Hurst’s feat in claiming a hat-trick in a World Cup Final remained unmatched until 2022 when France’s Kylian Mbappe scored three against Argentina, only to lose on penalties.
Comparing the two achievements, Hurst said: “They got beat. I’m sure Mbappe would have given his three goals away for France to have actually won it.
“Listen, I got three goals but the most important thing about the England team winning it was the team winning it. I played a part in that but it’s no good me scoring three and getting beat – and two his were penalties by the way.
“But Mbappe is an absolutely unbelievable player, a fantastic player.”
Controversy has followed Hurst’s second goal, which edged England 3-2 ahead against West Germany, with the Tartan Army famously insisting it didn’t cross the line.
Hurst said the use of VAR around fouls and offside decisions was “absolutely awful”, but admitted he approves of goal line technology and insisted it would prove his famous goal was over the line.
He said: “Had we had VAR it would show quite clearly and concisely that my ball was well over the line, let’s get that straight.”
