Scotland and Ireland's joint bid to host the Euro 2008 tournament has been boosted by a five figure sponsorship pledge by BT Scotland.
The telecommunications company announced its backing a week after the Scotland and Ireland bid was officially handed over at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland.
They are up against a number of rivals, the strongest of which have emerged as a four-nation Scandinavian consortium and a joint venture between Switzerland and Austria.
SFA chief executive David Taylor, who had handed over the bid last week, said:
"The support of the private sector is an important element of the bid.
"BT already has a significant involvement in football and they have in the past provided great support in the development of Hampden Park. Their involvement in the joint Euro 2008 bid is a great boost to the project."
The announcement comes not long after Ireland fans were voted by World Cup officials as the best in the tournament.
PA