HART: I'D HAVE LOVED ZZ TOP

FRANCE midfielder Zinedine Zidane's impending retiral may be welcomed by Walter Smith - but Scotland and Hearts star Paul Hartley is gutted.

Hartley revealed he would have loved the opportunity to turn out against the former Real Madrid player, left, - not least because he would have grabbed ZZ's coveted No. 10 shirt.

Although the Frenchman will quit the game following Sunday's World Cup Final against Italy, Hartley doesn't feel the decision will give the Scots an advantage in their Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

He said: "Zidane will have retired by the time the European qualifiers come around but I'd have loved the opportunity to play against him. I'd have wanted his strip - who wouldn't?

"He was different class against Brazil in the last eight. People said his legs had gone but he was the best player on the pitch. You always want to test yourself against the world's best and I would have loved the chance to have faced him in the qualifiers.

"But I'm not sure if his retiral hands Scotland any advantage as France have plenty of other world-class players."

Despite missing the chance to face Zidane, Hartley remains excited about the season ahead.

He said: "Italy, like France, are impressive and do not concede many goals. Scotland couldn't have got it any tougher after drawing the World Cup finalists in our qualifying group.

"Every footballer wants to play in World Cups, European Championships and Champions League.

"It is a massive season for me because when you come up against better players you always have something to prove.

"I will be playing in some huge games for Scotland and Hearts and that can only be good for my confidence."

Taken from the Daily Record