GOALKEEPER David Seaman insists that the controversy surrounding the England squad before tonight's opening Euro 2000 qualifying game in Sweden has merely bonded the team closer together yet again.

Glenn Hoddle and Tony Adams have been at the centre of criticism following the release of their books over the past fortnight.

Hoddle has been accused of betraying private confidences of players, especially Paul Gascoigne, while Adams criticised the coach in his new book.

Yet Seaman and the rest of the England squad have seen it all before and insist that they are refusing to let the headlines affect them.

"There's been a lot in the papers recently, but it draws you closer together as a team when people start having a go at certain players and the gaffer," he maintained.

"So we've been besieged, but that's nothing new. I'm not saying that we like it, but it's happened before and we just get on with it."

England's trump card is likely to be Michael Owen, still looking as fresh as ever after the World Cup.

Tony Adams is expected to play despite a late fitness scare, while Jamie Redknapp will join up with Liverpool teammate Paul Ince in midfield.

FORMER Oxford United defender Matt Elliott makes his Scotland debut in earnest today when he lines up against Lithuania in the opening qualifier for Euro 2000. The 29-year-old Leicester defender has made three international appearances before but all of them were in friendlies.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.