NEIL Alexander is Ipswich Town's best bet to have a representative in next summer's Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.The 29-year-old goalkeeper has sat on the bench for the majority of Scotland's qualifying games, and would be in with a chance of a squad place if Scotland beat Italy at Hampden Park tomorrow and go through.

By Elvin King

NEIL Alexander is Ipswich Town's best bet to have a representative in next summer's Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper has sat on the bench for the majority of Scotland's qualifying games, and would be in with a chance of a squad place if Scotland beat Italy at Hampden Park tomorrow and go through.

The Edinburgh-born keeper will be keeping his fingers crossed that Alex McLeish's side pull out all the stops against the current world champions.

And he thinks they will.

“They have a good chance,” said Alexander.

“After beating France home and away, Scotland will have nothing to fear.

“It is the most important game Scotland have played for a long while, and they will have 52,000 enthusiastic supporters right behind them in the stands.

“With this support behind I am hoping the lads can rise to the occasion again.”

Alexander is not so confident about England's chances of making it through to the finals, and he added: “If England fail to make it and Scotland do - it will go down very well north of the border.”

The impending birth of his second child led to Alexander not being selected for the previous set of qualifiers - and he was not included in the squad to face Italy.

“Naturally it would have been nice to have been selected, but it gives me the chance to have a few days off to spend with my family.

“Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has played every minute of every qualifier, and I am sure he will enjoy another good game tomorrow.

“If I keep playing well for Ipswich then I would hope to be considered for the place in the finals squad.”