The oldest international rivalry in the game, going strong since a goalless draw in Glasgow in 1872, has taken an entertaining twist with Scotland closing in behind wobbling England in Fifa's ranking list. No doubt the Scots, buoyed under the management of Alex McLeish, would fancy their chance of repeating their victory in the most recent encounter, a European Championship qualifier in 1999 at Wembley.

What would be the outcome of a mythical 'Champions of Britain' bout between the all-time best selection of past and present heroes? My hunch in attempting such a selection, having watched both countries since the Fifties across 13 World Cup tournaments, is that, on natural talent, the Scots would probably win.

Lovers of the game anywhere regret the termination from 1990 of our annual fixture, an emotional peak to vie with Brazil v Argentina or Germany v Italy.

The appeal of England against Scotland is inestimable on many fronts: historically, politically and socially with football being a microcosm of all our differences and allegiances. For some English voters, it would provide a possible opportunity currently to stick their tongues out at a Scottish Prime Minister; for the Scots it could fan the independence flame.

I am guided by the maxim – which ought to be central for any national coach – that reliability is as important as talent. Equivocal brilliance, Alf Ramsey or Jock Stein would have told you, can bring nightmares. As Bobby Charlton used to emphasise: "Playing for England is first and foremost a slog."

Predictably, with a smaller basis to their pyramid of players, Scotland's record against the Auld Enemy is inferior over the years since the Second World War: 47-12-9-26. Yet in the 29 consecutive matches since England appointed a professional manager with exclusive control, Ramsey in 1962-63, Scotland won nine and drew five, including the self-appointed honorary title of global masters when defeating England 3-2 at Wembley in 1967 – goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog denting the prestige of an England team who had Jack Charlton limping on the wing with a broken toe from early in the game (no substitutes then).

Gordon Banks is unchallenged between England's posts, backed by Peter Shilton with his record 125 caps. For Scotland, the goalkeeping place must go to Jim Leighton, who had 45 blank sheets from 91 caps. Despite this, I only narrowly prefer him to Bill Brown, who played in Tottenham's double team.

England have an exceptional string of right-backs: Ramsey, Don Howe, George Cohen, Viv Anderson, Paul Parker, Lee Dixon, but my vote goes to the dapper Phil Neal, 50 caps and five goals, with the equally immaculate Ray Wilson on the left.

For their personality and application, Tommy Gemmell and Eddie McCreadie get the nod for Scotland ahead of Eric Caldow and Danny McGrain.

England's array of central defenders offers a daunting choice, including Billy Wright, Peter Swan, Jack Charlton, Dave Watson, Des Walker, Terry Butcher and Tony Adams, but for me, Neil Franklin and Bobby Moore remain without equal. There will be anguish among some Scots at preference for articulate Alan Hansen and Billy McNeill, first choice, plus Martin Buchan and Frank McLintock, second choice, ahead of Ferguson's Aberdeen stalwarts McLeish and Willie Miller. So be it.

Both countries have a cluster of worthy midfielders. I cannot imagine anyone questioning a threesome of versatile Tom Finney (74 caps, 30 goals), Bryan Robson (90, 26 and ill-fated Duncan Edwards (18, 5), with Alan Ball (72, 8) and Paul Scholes (66, 14) as understudies, which reluctantly omits Martin Peters (67, 2).

Scotland, too have a jostling crowd, but when I spoke to Craig Brown, the Scotland manager with the best statistical record (70-32-18-20), we were in instant agreement: Billy Bremner, Jim Baxter and Dave Mackay, hard-pressed by Gordon Strachan, Graeme Souness and Archie Gemmill, Charlie Cooke finally and Gary McAllister on the fringe. Strikers are probably the most contentious of all selections. For England, Nat Lofthouse, Stan Mortensen, Mick Channon, Kevin Keegan and Geoff Hurst are claimants, but I go for Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, with Bobby Charlton in the hole behind them. Jimmy Greaves and Michael Owen would be substitutes, relying on Paul Gascoigne and maestro Stanley Matthews to fashion the openings.

For Scotland, Denis Law (55, 30) and Kenny Dalglish (102, 30) pick themselves, with Joe Jordan being a more thrustful partner than artful Ian St John. There is anguish in excluding Jimmy Johnstone but, as with Matthews, if selecting for the 21st century game, you wonder how he would fare.

Assuming all are at their sublime best, then I take Scotland to win 3-2.

Although England would have the mighty Edwards, Scotland would boast in Baxter, Mackay, Law and Dalglish, four of the most accomplished players ever to grace the game. Although England might have the superior defence, Scotland could have the edge in inspiration.