Colin Hendry on the turf and Gazza in the dentist’s chair. Bruce Rioch being carried off by the Tartan Army in 1977. Jim Baxter taunting the world champions by doing keepie-uppies at Wembley in 1967. There are few things more sacred and pure in the sporting world than the rivalry between Scotland and England. This is, quite literally, football heritage and with Tuesday’s friendly between the Auld enemies officially branded as a “heritage” match to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever international fixture, there will be one eye on the present and one on the past.

And who better to promote this message of heritage and legacy than two of the most Victorian-looking footballers ever conceived – Harry Kane and Andy Robertson – who turned out on Monday at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow (the scene of that famous goalless draw in 1872) suitably adorned in limited-edition jerseys, complete with the original crests – shirts that will later be auctioned off for charity. Indeed Kane and Robertson were just a moustache away from looking like the first footballing pioneers, and their teams will apparently even warm up at Hampden in the retro threads, before ditching them for the match-fit polyester.

A shame, really, that both sides didn’t agree to play with the rules and the equipment of the age, akin to the thrill of watching today’s professional golfers hack it around St Andrews with hickory clubs. What is an exhibition match even for, if not to watch how far Kane can boot an original pigskin over the bar from 12 yards? Wouldn’t it be fun to see how red John McGinn’s face would get over 90 minutes in heavy-duty cotton? Or to watch Phil Foden try and run in a big pair of old shorts?

An opportunity missed then, but still nice to finish another sensational international break with something worth watching, something worth winning: bragging rights. In an age of bloated tournaments, VAR, whataboutery, relentless gambling advertising and Jordan Henderson’s moral gymnastics, there is still something good and pure about Association Football and the narrative behind Tuesday’s game in Glasgow is a small reminder to the Fifa and Uefa suits that the game was invented by the people, for the people, way before they turned up.

Join Rob Smyth from 7.45pm BST for hot MBM coverage of Scotland 1-1 England, while Michael Butler will be on Euro 2024 qualifying clockwatch duty.

“At 26, I found myself without a club. I didn’t know where to go, who to turn to, who I was even. I had no identity. It took a long time for me to get my head around that” – Steven Caulker, still just 31, knows what it’s like for a pro footballer to be without a club. He tells Sam Dalling about his Behind The White Lines camp, where a safe space and possible second chance are on offer.

Re: yesterday’s Football Daily. I was appalled to read that the levels of privileges and protection offered to Luis Rubiales might extend to him being unaware of Piers Morgan” – Martin Clifford.

Applause for your exceptional headline to the article about the mess in Spain (yesterday’s Football Daily). Your use of a colloquial Spanish phrase was appropriate, accurately punctuated, and demonstrated a world-wise respect for others. Too bad your English ain’t always up to snuff” – Mike Wilner.

Tranmere’s Ian Dawes being shown out the door marked Do One on 10 September (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition). There’s an ‘early Dawes’ joke missing there” – Declan Houton.

Send your letters to [email protected]. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Martin Clifford.

In Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, Luxembourg were hoping to continue their impressive start to Group J by giving Portugal an unexpected test in Faro. It didn’t quite pan out for Luc Holtz’s improving upstarts as they were walloped in emphatic style. Portugal were 4-0 up at the break and when Bruno Fernandes made it eight [EIGHT – Football Daily Vidiprinter] in the 83rd minute, it all became too much for Holtz, who left his dugout seat and stormed off down the tunnel – a Fifa rage-quit in real life. If Holtz had hoped to fire his players up, it didn’t work. João Félix added a ninth and it finished 9-0 Luxembourg – equalling the country’s worst-ever international defeat.

Luis Rubiales has been ordered to give testimony to a Spanish judge in Madrid on Friday. Judge Francisco de Jorge has called the departing Spain FA president to court as he investigates Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final. Spanish state prosecutors formally accused Rubiales last week of alleged sexual assault and an act of coercion.

Paul Pogba could be banned from football for up to four years after testing positive for testosterone. The Juventus midfielder has been provisionally suspended pending results from a second sample, over a test taken after their win at Udinese.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci is reportedly taking legal action against Juve over a “lack of adequate training conditions” and damage to his image. The centre-back recently left for Union Berlin after spending 12 seasons in Turin.

Wales manager Rob Page has backed Birmingham’s Jordan James to follow in Jude Bellingham’s footsteps after the midfielder impressed in the 2-0 win at Latvia.” He is a great lad and he wants to work hard,” cheered Page. “He’s got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that.”

And luckless Buxton will have to play their National League North game at Firewall FC all over again, after it was called off in the 96th minute – with them leading 2-1 – due to a deluge at Glanford Park. “The matter was considered thoroughly,” tooted a statement from the league.

The Football Weekly Book is out later this month and you can order your copy (with a discount) now, now, now.

There’s a live event on 26 September to mark that launch. More details and tickets are here. And then the pod goes on tour again in November. Several dates are now sold out, but there are still some tickets available elsewhere.

From president to pariah: Sid Lowe tracks the rise and fall of Luis Rubiales.

When Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United for a world-record fee in 2016, he seemed to have the world at his feet – but it has been a hard road since, writes Jonathan Wilson.

Scotland are enjoying their best form in decades but the picture is very different in the Premiership, as Ewan Murray explains.

And one change could take India to the World Cup. Will they make it, wonders John Duerden.

Customers at a restaurant in Shanghai eat lunch next to a painting of the Chinese national team playing against their South Korean counterparts, before the 2002 World Cup. We’re told the text reads something like: “We wish China and Korea soccer teams to perform well in the World Cup 2002.” While the co-hosts would go on to reach the semi-finals, China were unceremoniously dumped out of their group without a point.