By Graham Brown

AN ANGUS youngster will be the envy of a sold-out Hampden and millions worldwide when he leads the Scots out for this weekend’s Euro 2008 showdown.

Forfar’s David Mitchell is to have the unforgettable honour of walking out with Scotland skipper Barry Ferguson for Saturday’s crunch game against Italy and the football daft 12-year-old hopes to be something of a good luck charm for Alex McLeish’s men, having never seen the national side lose.

David’s dad, Joseph, successfully bid for the mascot honour at a Dundee dinner earlier this year, held to raise money for the city’s Maggie’s Centre.

Scottish internationalist Christian Dailly co-hosted the gala event, with a charity auction helping the gala ball to raise some £65,000, but at that time even the most ardent Scotland fan could not have guessed how the mascot lot on offer would become an almost priceless prize.

Mr Mitchell, a well-travelled Tartan Army foot soldier, said, “I think it’s just about beginning to sink in with David what it will be like at Hampden.

“He was quite cool about it and said it would be no bother walking out in front of 50,000 or so, but then he forgot about the millions watching the game on television across the world!”

His dad added, “He’s always seen the Scots win.

“He’s been at Hampden for the victories this campaign, but he was also there when we beat Holland 1-0 in the play-off for Euro 2004 so he doesn’t know what it’s like to watch Scotland lose.”

The Forfar Boys Under-13 midfielder will undoubtedly be hoping the winning watching streak can continue for at least 90 minutes more.

But whatever the outcome, and with his dad, mum Jacqueline and sister Amy also making the trip to the national stadium in Glasgow, it will certainly be a day to remember.