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Whether over here or over there, what will the weather be in Edinburgh  or Rome.

Italian restaurants the world over were packed on that fateful summer night in 1982 -  people were glued to the TV screens as Paolo Rossi's sublime skills led Italy to their Third World Cup win, which for many was their first in living memory.

As Dino Zoff lifted the World Cup at the age of 41, grown men cried, kids ran amok in excitement, whilst wives and mothers orchestrated the food and singing.

This has seldom been matched since, rather, the ecstasy has been eclipsed by agonising moments in recent times. Who could forget Roberto Baggio's penalty miss in the 1994 final and Trezeguet's killer strike for France in Euro 2000.

Since we're on the subject of Baggio, il codino divino, visited our shores when Italy met Scotland at Hampden in a World Cup Qualifier and ended up extending his stay at the Southern General in Glasgow after breaking a rib following an altercation with Scottish defender McLaren.

If you are Scots-Italian, here's a dilemma you may be used to - when the two meet in a football match - who would you support ? I know many of you would support the Azzurri as they are consistently the stronger team.

There's the old tale of when Maradona's Argentina played Italy in the Semi -Final of the World Cup in 1990. Italy as hosts had played all their games prior to this one in Rome but for this crucial match they had to travel to Naples where of course Diego Maradona was a living legend. The Neapolitans were torn but one banner had the following words emblazoned on it:

'Diego nei Cori, Italia nel Cuore'    'Diego in our chants, Italy in our hearts'.

In many ways this sums up how I feel with Scotland and Italy.

I assume there is much discussion on this subject at Scottish Italian Football Association meetings (though am not sure if this organisation is still in existence- can anyone clarify this for me?).

Jonny - born and bred in Scotland.

An Azzurro with an impeccable scoring record.

A number of you, especially those who have links with the Barga area may have heard of Jonny Moscardini. Jonny was born in Falkirk in 1897 and died in Prestwick in 1985 where his parents ran a fish and chip shop. He fought for Britain in WWI where he was injured in combat and sent home to recuperate. He turned his attentions to football and built up his stamina and skill levels back in Italy where he represented Lucchese and Genoa during the early 1920's. Not before long he was called up for the national team, the Azzurri, achieving an incredible 7 goals in just 9 appearances. Today the football stadium in Barga is named after him. Indeed on the 1st of June 2000 the Jonny Moscardini Football Club was initiated by a descendant, Paul Moscardini.

The photograph on the right is taken during the mid 1960's and features a team from Nardini's in Largs consisting mostly of Italian workers. Many of these workers later settled in Scotland. Click the picture to enlarge it and you will see Jonny Moscardini kneeling on the front row, bottom left of the photograph.

Then there was the 1970's - famed not just for the hairdo's and flares but this was when the first glamour footballers began to appear - who could forget Lou Macari for Manchester United or Peter Marinello of Arsenal (who between games even managed to guest present Top of the Pops ! )

In more recent times Joe Tortolano of Hibs, Domenic Matteo (ex-Liverpool and Leeds) and Killie's own prodigal son Paul di Giacomo have played at the highest level.

Not forgetting of course Rose Reilly (who I hear you ask?), well, the most celebrated female footballer of her generation Rose represented both the Italian and Scottish national sides.

OK, what about when the two line up in the rugby six nations, with Scotland the stronger, who would you now support?

Leading Rugby referee Johnny Bacigalupo (born in Edinburgh but with parents from Genoa and Monte Cassino) when asked this question during a recent encounter in the Italian capital replied....

"The way I look at it, I can't lose. No, I am not going to Rome - after all, which set of fans would I join, which goalposts would I stand behind? I'll just watch it on the box with a glass of Chianti and some oatcakes."

Email and let me know your views.

Italians in the SPL

Enrico Annoni (Rico to his fans) was one of the first big name Italians to venture to Scotland moving from AS Roma  in early 1997 to Celtic.

Lorenzo Amoruso the big ex-Fiorentina defender became captain of Rangers for a while, though he was often in the media for the wrong reasons despite his obvious talent on the pitch. 

With the brotherly combination of Ivano and Dario Bonetti in charge at Dens Park, we have seen the influx of Italians to Dundee. So much so that the press have already dubbed them the Tayzzurri !

Players such as Alessandro Romano, Marco de Marchi, Patrizio Billio and Marcello Marrocco have all plied their trade in the City of Discovery in recent years. 

Why even Nevio Scala the much respected ex-Parma and Dortmund coach had at one point been rumoured to have been talking to the SFA for the then vacant Scotland managers job.

However probably the most remarkable story is that of Gennaro (Rino) Gattuso, plucked from obscurity at Perugia and offered his first professional contract under the Bosman ruling at Rangers aged just seventeen. Whilst he did not exactly set the SPL alight his grit and determination alerted Salernitana who subsequently bought him. The following year Rino was sold to his childhood team, AC Milan.

Today he is an Italian regular and in a meeting with England recently scored the winning goal - and in some style - a 30 yard bullet which screamed past the helpless James in the English goal.

The SPL in Italy

Glasgow Rangers have for many years used the Tuscan retreat of Il Ciocco, just outside Barga for their summer training. Indeed this was where Mo Johnston was whisked off to in order to avoid media attention following his shock signing from under the noses of their Old Firm counterparts. 

During Italia 90 Il Ciocco was also the team hotel for the Russian National Football team.

Follow Glasgow Ragazzi - one of the premier Volleyball teams in the country. The name was chosen by its players in 1984 and the team boasts one of the most impressive records in the UK - in fact the men's first team achieved a domestic record 100 home victories and have represented the country in the European Cup.

Su Ragazzi Ladies are also very successful having been promoted three times in successive years.

Glasgow Ragazzi's present Captain Iain Grubb also Captains Scotland and Great Britain at International level.