A giant leap of faith . . even for frogs.

Byline: John McKie

SAD but true. Misbah Rana, the 12-year-old known back home as Molly Campbell, says she left Stornoway for Lahore because of racial abuse.

But just think of the slagging she'll get for being half-Scottish once Pakistani papers start running the results from Scotland's games against France and the Ukraine.

Scrap that last remark. This is not a time for negativity.

This is a time for positive thinking. Allez les Darc Bleus.

Besides, French coach Raymond Domenech says he'll be asking advice from Paul Le Guen - guessing it will be "Don't play Jean-Pierre Fanfan". He's also asking for tips from Jean-Alain Boumsong, so there is hope.

Having nabbed a ticket for both games - I'm currently considering a pounds 380 flight to Kiev and, indeed, my sanity - I can't wait to see Faddy and the boys in action.

The French, meanwhile, are only bringing 2200 fans. If Sir Walter plays Paul Ritchie and Gary Holt, they've promised to double that number. But why be fearful? We all know what comes after pride. Parochial English website Football 365 has run William Gallas's comments.

"Our opponents are quaking in their boots when they look at our line-up - Henry, Vieira, Makelele and Thuram and then Gallas, Ribery, Abidal and Sagnol. People are scared of France again."

Football 365 said: "William Gallas reminds us all why it was such a good thing the most arrogant nation on Earth didn't win the World Cup." But he didn't mention any of the England team.