Kenny Dalglish has urged Uefa authorities to give Scotland and Ireland the chance to host the 2008 European Championships.

The former Scotland striker is backing the passion of the Scottish and Irish fans to bring their countries success in their joint bid to host the tournament.

And he believes a successful bid would give Scottish football a similar boost to that experienced by England after hosting Euro 96.

Dalglish said: "Both sets of fans have been acclaimed for the way they have conducted themselves at various championships around the world and if the authorities want to reward them for their good behaviour it`s a nice way for them to show that.

The fans of both countries have a special passion and love their football Kenny Dalglish

"The fans of both countries have a special passion and love their football.

A delegation from Uefa saw first-hand the Scots' passion for football when they attended this year's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkeusen in Glasgow.

And Dalglish is convinced that hosting the tournament would provide the springboard for a revival of fortunes for the ailing Scottish international team.

He also believes it would generate finance for Scottish clubs to start up their own academies.

This would allow them to bring through young players instead of relying on the current flood of foreign imports.

Euro 96 boost

Dalglish continued :"The Scottish system has good quality young players at 15 or 16, but after that there isn't that much development.

" Why not is the 64,000 dollar question.

"Everybody knows Scottish football isn't going through too good a phase but it would be a great incentive for everyone to get together and do something about it.

"It would also give the kids a great lift, something to look forward to.

"It would be a light at the end of the tunnel."

It would be a light at the end of the tunnel Kenny Dalglish

The former Celtic and Liverpool star added: "I think there is no doubt Euro 96 helped England.

"The nation really got together behind the team and it did a lot for the development of the young players.

"It`s starting to bear fruit with some of the kids who are coming through now."

The final presentation for the joint bid will be made in Geneva on Wednesday week, with the result announced 24 hours later.

Scotland and Ireland have six rivals to stage the 2008 tournament.

The main opposition is expected to come from the joint Austria-Switzerland bid and a four-country proposal from the Nordic nations.