Let's have a Euro 2012 to remember

Euro 2012 needs to succeed where other recent international tournaments have failed and produce exciting football

International football needs boosting.

For too long now it has been no more than a distraction to many football fans, particularly in England.

The all-conquering Premier League has played its part in that, of course, but many are just no longer interested in tepid qualifiers against minnows like Andorra, Azerbaijan and Albania.

They are no longer interested in watching England fumble their way through an easy group, with dour displays and no realistic hope of success in a major tournament.

It could be said this extends beyond the borders of England, too.

Scotland have the most vociferous crowd of the Home Nations yet they haven't reached a major tournament since 1998, Wales have only qualified for one major tournament - the 1958 World Cup - and attracted just over 12,000 spectators for last week's win over Switzerland, Northern Ireland last reached a major tournament in 1986 and the Republic of Ireland's last qualification was for the 2002 World Cup.

Negativity towards international football is growing around the globe, too.

The recent FIFA scandals have not helped, but the borathon World Cup of 2010 also acted as a nail in the coffin.

International football still has great benefits, like its potential to bring a nation together as it did with Spain in 2010.

However, the only real time anyone gets excited about it is in the major competitions.

Qualifying groups are often tedious, with the big nations almost always breezing through, meaning there are rarely exciting matches on home soil to raise excitement about the international game.

Tournaments are the only part of international football which excite, and that is why it is crucial the Home Nations qualify and do well at Euro 2012 to ensure fans don't turn their backs on their national team for good.

Northern Ireland and Wales cannot qualify, of course, but England have already booked their place in Poland and Ukraine while Scotland and the Republic of Ireland both currently hold play-off places.

It would be great to see England, Scotland and Ireland at Euro 2012 as it would create a great deal of interest and bring back a feelgood factor around the respective national teams.

England are almost always there at the major tournaments, of course, and it nearly always ends in extreme disappointment.

It is crucial Euro 2012 does not turn out like that.

If Fabio Capello is to still be manager for the tournament, he must lead the side to at least the semi-finals if he is to fully rebuild his reputation in this country.

Wayne Rooney's petulant red card in the final qualifier against Montenegro will rob Capello of his best player for one to three games of the tournament, but England should have more than enough to reach the knockout stages provided they can avoid the likes of Spain, Germany and Holland early on.

It is extremely unlikely England could win the tournament, as the youngsters are too inexperienced and the older players are past their best, but a semi-final place would be enough to lift the optimism around the team for future tournaments.

As for Scotland, they have the unenviable task of possibly needing a result in Spain to reach the play-offs, but if they were to do that and subsequently win their two-legged tie, it would really make Euro 2012 one of the most anticipated international tournaments in this country in recent times.

If Ireland make it to Poland and Ukraine too it would be an intriguing tournament for the Home Nations and could put international football back on the agenda for football fans here.

Are our teams good enough to win these tournaments? No, but it is crucial they win back their fans by competing to the best of their abilities.

Scotland and Ireland would struggle to reach the knockout stages but their mere involvement in a major competition would be enough to reignite their fans and provide hope for the future.

The club game will remain more popular than international qualifiers and friendlies, whatever happens, but the international game needs to fight back and win back some of the doubters.

Hopefully, Euro 2012 will be a goal-fest with exciting football from all teams and the Home Nations finally restoring some national pride.

There cannot be another borathon of a tournament; there cannot be any more debacles. International football needs saving and hopefully Euro 2012 will provide the lasting memories to get everyone talking again.

If it is another disappointment, some will turn their backs on internationals for good.