STEVIE CRAWFORD has revealed that the emotion of pulling on the dark blue of Scotland was so great that he struggled to sing the national anthem as he'd have "started greeting".

Playing for his country was an ambition held as a youngster that was realised for the former Pars hero, and he says watching the class of 2024 at the Euros will fill him with more pride and excitement.

Crawford, who also had a stint as Dunfermline boss, having scored 82 goals in 249 appearances for the club, won 25 caps for the national side, 19 of which came whilst a player at East End.

Although he never reached a major tournament - he was part of Berti Vogts' squad that lost a Euro 2004 play-off to the Netherlands - he can relate to the feelings of pride Steve Clarke's squad will face when they begin their campaign against hosts Germany tomorrow (Friday).

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"What I will say is any time I pulled on the Scotland jersey, it was an unbelievable feeling of pride, because I know what it meant to my family.

"I now get asked the question, 'Why were you not singing the national anthem?'. 

"I was really quite patriotic but I couldn't because I would've started greeting! That's the honest answer.

"I had to check my emotions. At times I was biting my lip. I was singing it in my head, but to actually physically sing it...I'm like, what an opportunity this is. I know that sounds like fairytale stuff or getting carried away, but it was the reality.

"I had to get myself in check to play a game of football, so I'll never criticise if you go down the line and somebody says 'oh, look at him, he's not bothered playing for his country' (and he's not singing the anthem).

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"Sometimes it's the opposite way, that they're actually more proud to be there. I can only touch upon feelings I had."

Whilst at Raith Rovers at the beginning of his career, Crawford was given his Scotland debut in a Kirin Cup match against Ecuador in 1995 by Craig Brown, and scored the winning goal.

He had to wait six years until his next cap, a 1-1 draw in Poland, in which Pars team-mate, Barry Nicholson, also featured, but in between times he remained an ardent fan.

"At the 98 World Cup, I think I was sort of an outside chance of getting picked," he recalled.

"I ended up watching it with my mates along at the Rollerbowl in Rosyth.

"Watching the Brazil game, two of us thought it was clever to go and get our hair dyed blond, Scotland strips on, and John Collins scores the penalty.

"I always have a feeling of excitement and pride. The players want to progress.

"You're not telling me there's not one player, or somebody in the coaching team, that doesn't want to progress to the next rounds this year.

"I've always enjoyed it. Alright, sometimes results don't go for us, but I think getting to major tournaments is a massive plus for a country our size."

* Crawford was speaking whilst helping to promote Dunfermline City Fan Zone, which will run for 10 days and show each of Scotland's Euro 2024 matches on big screens at KDM Group East End Park.

For tickets, visit https://dunfermlinecityfanzone.com/.