Scotland will face Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 in what will be the first senior men’s international football fixture staged at the new waterfront ground.
A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium
A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View Image
Ex-Everton favourite James McFadden cannot wait to return to Hill Dickinson Stadium to watch Scotland play Ivory Coast in the first senior men’s international football fixture staged at the new waterfront ground.
McFadden, who had two separate spells at Everton after first joining from Motherwell in 2003, was part of the former players’ team that defeated their Roma counterparts 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium last summer and he fell instantly in love with the Blues' new home.
And he believes the travelling Tartan Army will be just as enthusiastic come Tuesday, March 31.
McFadden said: “They will be coming to an unbelievable stadium and I’m sure they’ll enjoy the experience. And they’ll try to take over the city of Liverpool, there’s no doubt about it!
"Hopefully the stadium will be packed, I am sure it will be, and the atmosphere will be something special. They will make as much noise as they can – and the stadium has been built for that.
“Obviously there’s a huge buzz around the national team just now, and not just because of the World Cup, but also because of how exciting and amazing the game against Denmark was [when Scotland secured World Cup qualification].”
Scotland are in Group C in the summer alongside Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. It’s their first World Cup finals since 1998 and the nation is desperately keen to progress beyond the group stage for the first time.
McFadden, who won 33 of his 48 Scotland caps during his time with Everton, is aware of the significance of the Ivory Coast game on March 31 and he stressed that those in attendance certainly won’t be watching a mere kickabout.
He said: “This game is important because we want to try to build a bit of momentum going into the World Cup and also maybe try some different players. Steve Clarke may have a few surprises.
“The core of the squad will be guaranteed to go as long as they are fit and available but there’s a group of players that are desperate to impress the manager. It will be a tough game absolutely, and it won’t be the type of friendly I played in when the Everton old boys were running around against Roma in August!”
“I keep telling people about it, but I don’t think you can describe it because it needs to be experienced. I am really looking forward to the Scottish fans getting a little taste of Everton and I’m sure it won’t be their last visit. It’s accessible, it’s only three hours down the road for most of them.”
Another aspect of the afternoon that McFadden is relishing is the pre-match Scottish anthem. For just one afternoon, Z-Cars will be replaced by Flower of Scotland.
He said: “When you’re playing, you’re in the mindset and you’re focused on the game. But when you listen to, and sing, Flower of Scotland, it doesn’t leave you, and you can’t stop thinking about it. It’s a special experience.”
Tickets for Ivory Coast v Scotland are available now online via the Everton website, by calling 0151 556 1878, or in person at Hill Dickinson Stadium’s Box Office during opening hours. Ticket prices start from £27 for Adults and £16 for Under-16s.
A range of Premium experiences within Hill Dickinson Stadium’s bars and restaurants are also available via Seat Unique. Find out more here.