Alex Ferguson backs Scotland to beat England

Sir Alex Ferguson today insisted it was no surprise there are so many Scottish managers in the Premier League - and stated that he "fancies Scotland so strongly" to beat England in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup encounter in New Zealand.

The Manchester United manager comes face to face with another of the seven Scottish managers in the Premier League tomorrow - Norwich boss Paul Lambert - and said Scotland had a rich history of success.

Asked why there were so many Scottish managers, Ferguson said: "You say this as if it's a country that shouldn't be doing well.

"You forget we actually created everything in this world. I'll give you a book about it, How the Scots Invented the Modern World [written by American academic Arthur Herman].

"It's a fantastic book. You shouldn't be surprised.

"Far more important is how Scotland do tomorrow. I fancy Scotland so strongly you've no idea. Why? Because we are playing England..."

The other Scottish managers in the Premier League are: Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish, Blackburn's Steve Kean, Aston Villa's Alex McLeish, Everton's David Moyes and Bolton's Owen Coyle.