Scots savour victory over France

GLASGOW, Oct 8 (Reuters) Scotland celebrated their memorable win over France in style with the press heralding it today as their best result ever.

One newspaper even dubbed their heroes as the unofficial world's best after yesterday's upset 1-0 win over the World Cup runners-up in a Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden Park.

The Scottish Sunday Mail, the country's biggest selling paper, reported: ''The result sent shockwaves around the globe and it means that Scotland are now the unofficial world champs.

''World Cup finalists France took the title by beating tournament winners Italy 3-1 in Paris last month, but the plucky Scots have now snatched that prize from the classy French.'' A second half goal from Celtic defender Gary Caldwell earned the Scots the victory that put them top of Group B on a maximum nine points, three ahead of France, after three matches.

Thousands of fans stayed behind at Hampden to celebrate before packing out pubs and clubs.

Headline writers savoured the victory and the Sunday Mail front page said: ''We're over Le Moon'', while the back page headline was, ''Here Oui Go''.

The Scottish Sunday Express front page said: ''Vive Les Scots!'' with a sub-deck of ''Magnificent. Maybe our best ever.'' Sister paper, the Star today, carried the front page headline of ''French Fried'' with a back page of ''Oui Won!'' The compact Sunday Herald offered readers a souvenir poster in its middle pages of the fabulous win.

Match-winner Caldwell told reporters of his sweet revenge after making his international debut in a 5-0 defeat by France in a 2002 friendly and being famously pictured beside a mocking David Trezeguet holding up four fingers at goal number four.

He said: ''I have that picture in the house. This one will look a bit better though.'' Caldwell told BBC Scotland: ''I think the whole world will sit up and take notice of that result.

''I basically slide tackled the ball in, but as long as it hits the net, I don't care too much.'' Reuters AB RN1934