I cannot wait for the day when we are so confident in ourselves as a nation that we can bring ourselves to support the so-called Auld Enemy

Andrew Wilson SNP economy spokesman

And his call has already received short shrift from the Tartan Army.

Spokesman Hamish Husband told BBC News Online Scotland that Mr Wilson was "missing the point" - and that fans have broadened their horizons far beyond the border.

Mr Wilson, one of the new generation of nationalists, says none of Scotland's problems are England's fault.

He argued that supporting the English football team would be "a symbol for the strength of Scottish self-confidence."

"I cannot wait for the day when we are so confident in ourselves as a nation that we can bring ourselves to support the so-called Auld Enemy," he said.

Andrew Wilson: "Symbol of strength"

Writing in the Sunday Mail, he says that England are a smashing team and that most of their fans are superb.

And he suggested that Scotland needs to change the way it views itself as a country.

He said the nation's potential was "vast" - but that performance was "just mediocre" in too many ways.

"We need to reform our attitudes to change all of this. We need to learn to be self-starting, self-reliant and responsible for the conduct of our own lives," he said.

"And a very big part of delivering this is losing the national chip on the shoulders we have always had about our southern neighbours.

Biggest rivals

"None of Scotland's problems are the fault of England or the English - all are of our own making."

However, Mr Husband said he could not bring himself to support the English, even though he has friends and relatives south of the border.

He predicted that the majority of Scottish fans would feel the same way - but stressed that this was not an anti-English sentiment.

"It is a football thing," he said. "They are our biggest rivals."

The Tartan Army has shown maturity by ignoring England

Hamish Husband Tartan Army spokesman

He said that the Tartan Army was more about going abroad, taking thousands of fans to matches in places like Paris.

"If that's what he's asking he's missing the point. We are not really bothered - we are European," he said.

And he added: "The Tartan Army has shown maturity by ignoring England.

"We don't want the Auld Enemy clash back, it's too much hassle.

"Our horizons are broader. There's a big world out there."