The SFA has confirmed another attractive home fixture for the Scotland football team, which will face Canada at Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 15 October (kick-off 8.00 pm).
The Safeway International Challenge Match against Canada follows immediately after Scotland's crucial away Euro 2004 qualifier against Iceland on 12 October. It is the first Scotland match in Edinburgh for over four years, the last being Scotland's 3-2 victory over Estonia in October 1998, at Tynecastle.
With no further competitive matches until March, Scotland coach Berti Vogts will use the opportunity to extend the international experience of his side. He is also planning friendlies in November and February and said: "I need to use every international date to develop the team, especially for the young players who will take Scotland to the finals in 2004, 2006 and 2008."
The Canadian team will probably include several players well known to Scottish football fans, such as Jason de Vos (formerly Dundee United), Kevin McKenna (Hearts), Nick Dasovic (ex St Johnstone) and Davide Xausa (Livingston).
Meanwhile, Berti Vogts will name his first competitive squad next Monday, 12 August, at 11 am. The players selected will face not only Denmark at Hampden on 21 August, but also the Faroe Islands on 7 September, in the first Euro 2004 qualifier.