England and Scotland are separated by only 96 miles of border but, as play ended in the Euro 2008 qualification rounds, the difference in attitude among soccer fans on either side of the line is light years apart.

The Scots fell at the last hurdle, a controversial 2-1 loss to Italy that robbed them of qualification after a 12-game series that included two famous 1-0 wins over France. The term most commonly used to describe this latest near miss was Glorious Failure. And some comfort can be taken in that.

Initially disappointed at the final whistle of their last game, Scottish fans soon found themselves lifting their heads and smiling again, realizing that an exciting rebirth in Scottish soccer was unfolding before their disbelieving eyes.

Manager Alex McLeish, building on a stout program begun by Walter Smith, forged a group of promising individuals into a strong unit, earning universal praise for taking a small nation so close to the summit of European soccer.

Players like Alan Hutton and James McFadden or goalie Craig Gordon, have emerged from the qualifying round with soaring reputations and there's renewed interest from top clubs in Britain and Europe about what Scottish players have to offer.

Although England came equally close - one point would have put either side through - the contrast in emotions and expectations couldn't be more distinct. The English, losing at home 3-2 to Croatia, have failed miserably, if the reaction of their fans and media are anything to go by.

Manager Steve McClaren, under a barrage of criticism from Day 1, was fired immediately after and the general sense is that this is a soccer program in serious trouble. It not only needs to find a new manager, it also needs to find players who can cope with the intense pressure of playing for England.

Ironically, the previous manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was also chased out of his job under similar circumstances, has proved again what an astute manager he is by immediately taking unfancied Manchester City into a top five place in the standings.

McClaren had shown himself to be a capable manager before the England job by taking Middlesborough to the UEFA Cup finals. But the England job is steadily proving to be an unmanageable task and anyone who takes on the responsibility as manager will find the burden of expectation from England's ravenous fans to be a crushing load.

The new manager will also have to cope with a player pool that looks to be in need of either a serious clearing out or a fresh approach to drawing the best from the remarkable level of talent available to choose from.

Given that most of the players likely to be selected for England's national team are already well rewarded financially by their clubs, it will take someone with a masterful touch to get the next England squad properly motivated and committed to winning.

Somehow, that manager will have to find a way to match the small-country attitude that has seen teams like Scotland and Croatia build tight, cohesive teams full of committed, selfless players.

But when one considers that the money paid to players by Premiership clubs helps to soften the blow of national team failure, it's a challenging task that no England manager may ever achieve.

North American fans should take heart in the performances of smaller nations like Scotland and Croatia. As soccer remains a minor sport in North America, it's fairer to compare what's going on within the US or Canadian programs with the smaller European nations than with powerhouses like Italy, Spain or Germany.

Americans have always had an ability to extract maximum sporting benefit from lesser resources due to an ability to focus the use of those resources. Add to that the growth in size and quality of MLS soccer and many of the key ingredients are coming together to support this premise:

Both Canada and the United States, a rivalry not unlike Scotland-England,  have every reason to be ambitious in the coming years. For Canada, just getting to a second World Cup would be achievement enough in the short term.

But the growing popularity of the game, larger numbers of players to work with and a bigger , soccer-savvy business base to draw financial support from give the United States a clear edge,

Enough of one to justify saying that America will win its first World Cup before England wins its second. 

Poised to end a turbulent time at Real Madrid by winning a championship, David Beckham prepares to depart the grand stage of European soccer in the best way possible - leaving them wanting more.

It's a departure that will vastly overshadow the quieter and more dignified Bernabeu exit of teammate Roberto Carlos, the stellar Brazilian left back whose thunderous left foot has produced some of the game's finest long-range goals.

And it's a departure in style and tone from the soap-opera mayhem that now engulfs Thierry Henry, as speculation wildly swirls about his playing intentions for the coming season. Boardroom sparring and a media-fuelled fire has begun to consume the dignity that embodied Arsenal's gifted striker, it's elegant manager Arsene Wenger, and even the club itself.

Admittedly, the announcement that Beckham was leaving Real Madrid for L.A. Galaxy came amid a similar media circus to that surrounding Henry today. But Beckham has shown a master's touch in handling a tricky situation that could have left himself and Real Madrid surrounded by wreckage. Henry and his prickly agent could take a lesson.

After a tearful ending to the 2006 World Cup and the apparent conclusion of his days playing for England, an awkward start to the current season for both player and club had delivered Beckham to the low point of his career. His decision to move to America was met with widespread derision and scorn, with some of the worst comments coming from Real president Ramon Calderon. Real manager Fabio Capello gravely announced that Beckham would never play for the club again.

Despite an ability to be as manipulative with the media as any sports or showbiz star, Beckham never rose to the bait. He simply returned to the place where he surely must be most at ease, the training ground, and continued to be a complete professional by preparing himself for a possible return to the playing field, should the opportunity arise. And he did it quietly and earnestly.

No one knows a player like teammates do. They see the work put in on the training ground, they know the quality of a character through daily contact in the change room.

It gives them the keenest insight into what that player can offer on the playing field and if it's talent that can't be matched by a replacement, or even a change in tactics, it's not going to sit well with them for long. Especially a team with the pedigree and expectations of Real Madrid.

It spoke volumes when their immedate reaction to the statements from Calderon and Capello was one of total support for Beckham. They wanted him back.

Beckham's eventual return sparked Real on a drive to the top that should end this weekend with yet another Spanish league championship and this could be one of the more storied titles Spain's greatest club has ever earned. That run also forced England manager Steve McLaren to think again and Beckham's re-instatement to the England midfield has revived his country's chances of qualifying for the 2008 European championships.

Throughout the process, Beckham has refused to gloat or speak ill of anyone who misjudged him or his abilities. He's let his play do the talking and once again the highlight reels are filled with goals created by his tantalizing delivery of the ball.

Again, the strongest endorsement he could receive is that of teammates, as prominent England players, such as captain John Terry, have had nothing but the highest praise for his attitude and his play. Terry has vowed to return the captain's armband to Beckham when he plays his 100th career game for England, something that could happen in October or November.

Which means his impending transfer to the L.A. Galaxy is now one of the world's most eagerly anticipated sports events. He's made the step across the Atlantic a short one indeed, arriving still at the top of his game, with some of Europe's most prestigious clubs clamouring for him to reconsider.

 He won't play in front of an empty seat throughout his abbreviated Major League Soccer season and, considering the time he's had off earlier this season while recuperating from injuries, he should still be feeling fresh and energetic. Motivation under these circumstances will not be an issue. This is a man at ease under the hottest of spotlights.

Really, the only concerns facing his arrival involve his new club and the league it plays in.

 Will Beckham's arrival be enough to rescue the Galaxy from their poor start to the season? And will his involvement with England hamper the club at a critical stage in the late season, or possibly in the playoffs?  It's a valid concern given the fact that Beckham could become only the third player to reach 100 games for England late this fall, when playoff concerns could become paramount for the Galaxy.

And will MLS be able to retain some sensibility in the early stages of Beckham's MLS career? It's going to give the league it's highest-ever global profile. Can they resist the giddy temptation to abandon a salary cap and allow the sort of wild spending that brought the demise of the late, lamented North American Soccer League?

All in all, nice problems for MLS to have. Beckham will arrive with his image restored, his dignity intact and a world eager to watch what he will do next. We're in for a treat.