In the latest of our series of features in the build up to the historic first international match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, between Scotland and Ivory Coast, we take a look at Everton's Scottish links
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 15: James McFadden of Everton celebrates scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Charlton Athletic at Goodison Park on April 15, 2007 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
James McFadden is mobbed after scoring Everton's brilliant winner against Charlton Athletic at Goodison Park on April 15, 2007(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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James McFadden was a forward who specialised in the spectacular.
Everton were battling for a place in Europe in April 2007, when Darren Bent scored a damaging 89th-minute equaliser for Charlton Athletic at Goodison Park. What McFadden did next has passed into Goodison folklore.
In time added on Gary Naysmith's cross into the penalty area was met by a Madjid Bougherra header. The ball was cleared to the edge of the Charlton penalty area where McFadden was lurking, but Bougherra followed his headed clearance to close down the striker.
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McFadden's response was outstanding. He flipped the ball deliciously over the outrushing defender, sidestepped the stranded centre-back and volleyed the ball with the same foot past goalkeeper Scott Carson.
"I always look back on that as probably the best goal I’ve scored,” he said.
But just five months later he scored a goal which was arguably even better.
It was against World Cup finalists France, in Paris, and the Scottish FA's website says: "The game will always be remembered for James McFadden’s screaming 30-yarder, a goal which ranks among the sweetest of Scotland strikes."
McFadden struck the only goal of a European Championship qualifier past a despairing Mickael Landreau.
The Scottish FA's website added: "No-one could have anticipated what would happen when the little forward pulled down a long ball 64 minutes into the game on September 12 2007 and turned to face the French back four.
"With players closing him down and without a second’s hesitation, Faddy looked up and delivered an unstoppable shot which dipped under the crossbar and left the Parc de Prince completely dumbfounded.
"This is not how this Euro qualifier was meant to unfold, particularly after the Scots had stunned France with a 1-0 win in their first meeting the previous October."
In 2017 McFadden said: "It's good to look back now and see what it means to people. It's amazing that it's 10 years down the line and people are still talking about it."
Another 10 years on and they still are!
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 12: Paul Hartley, Stephen Mcmanus, James Mcfadden, Scott Brown, David Weir and Stephen Pearson of Scotland celebrate after winning the UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifier Group B match between France and Scotland at Parc Des Princes on September 12, 2007 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Paul Hartley, Stephen Mcmanus, James McFadden, Scott Brown, David Weir and Stephen Pearson of after winning the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier Group B match between France and Scotland at Parc Des Princes on September 12, 2007(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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When McFadden arrived at Everton in August 2003, he was a flashback to a previous era.
Gifted and flamboyant, he followed a Scottish tradition which included entertainers like Torry Gillick, Tommy Ring, Alex Young and Pat Nevin.
His debut in a Carling Cup tie against Stockport left Goodison purring and gagging for more.
Four days later he repeated the performance, this time against Premier League opposition as Everton beat Leeds 4-0.
However, he found it difficult to repeat that level of performance consistently - he made 27 appearances in his debut season but had to wait until January 2005 for his first goal, a late consolation in a heavy defeat at Tottenham.
His most productive season was 2005/06, when he made 42 appearances, scoring seven goals.
In 2008 he joined Birmingham, the £4.75million fee a significant mark up on the £1.25m Everton had paid Motherwell for his services five years earlier.
McFadden spent four injury-troubled years at St Andrews but following the expiry of his contract in 2011 returned to Everton.
Second time around his appearances were restricted, making just eight appearances.
He made his Scotland debut against South Africa in May 2002 and over the next eight years won 48 caps, scoring 15 goals - none more celebrated than that stunning strike against France.
Scotland face Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 in a FIFA World Cup warm up match. It will be the first senior men’s international fixture to be staged at Everton’s new waterfront home, and the first time the club has hosted the Scots since 1911.
Tickets are now available for this latest fixture on general sale online via the Everton website, by phone on 0151 556 1878, or in person at Hill Dickinson Stadium’s Box Office during opening hours, with prices starting from £27 for Adults and £16 for Under-16s.