WE boogied our way to the finals, but ultimately were sent packing before we even got started.

Scotland's return to the major tournament stage was short-lived after being unceremoniously dumped out at the group stages.

There's no denying that Steve Clarke and his players played their way into the history books, and in many ways re-captured the hearts of the nation.

READ MORE: Gareth Southgate is England's best manager since Sir Alf Ramsey - but he's to blame for their Euro 2020 failure

But after three matches and only one goal it was over. This is no slight on the players, they gave everything and delivered a momentous performance against England at Wembley.

They put in the work, gave it their best and gave the nation something to celebrate after a difficult year for the country, nay the entire world - but more on that later.

However, across the border the tournament was transformed into an ever-updated montage of what could have been in previous tournaments and what was inevitably going to happen this time. 

It was coming home. But it didn't. 

The Herald: Italy lift the Euro 2020 titleItaly lift the Euro 2020 title

From the outset pundits and presenters were panned for their incessant ramblings on past English 'glories' and failure to focus on the tremendous footballing spectacle instead reminiscing over a goal scored 25 years ago.

It was demoralising, perhaps even rivalling the moment Patrik Schick left David Marshall untangling himself from the net after a frankly ridiculous long-range strike at Hampden.

But eventually for England, just like Scotland, it was over.

It was truly a shame for England's squad and Gareth Southgate who, I'm sure most Scots would agree, have so many redeemable qualities both on and off the pitch.

But if you'd listened to the pundits, commentators and presenters ahead of and during the finals you'd have thought it was a forgone conclusion.

Italy mightn't have even showed face at Wembley and instead returned to Rome trophyless with nothing more to show than their fashionable blazers.

Thankfully the Italians weren't interested in playing their part in some London fairytale concocted from the studios and press benches at Wembley.

Now filled with relief at the prospect of a future without constant reminders of the glory of Euro 2020 we take a look back at some of the quotes from pundits on England's road to a fruitless final.

Sam Matterface

It's often said the less you notice a referee the better a job they're doing. It's a similar scenario for commentators, the less you know the name, often the better a job they've done.

Unfortunately for the ITV commentator, jokingly referred to as Sam WhatsaMatterface by one colleague, he captured the attention and put himself in the firing line over his gushing commentary during the tournament.

Matterface was one of a number to utter words to the effect of 'England you deserve this' as the march to the final continued.

Needless to say this irked viewers in Scotland stuck watching the same feed as Matterface reduced the worldwide Covid pandemic to England's struggles.

Of course, it is no competition when it comes to the devastating effects of the virus, but to state England's progress and run to the final was deserved over other nations was bonkers.

Counting down the seconds in the semi-final win over Denmark, Matterface said: "If this comes off, you can do what you want tonight. You’ve had a terrible 16 months; kids you can stay up, don’t you dare go to bed. The rest of you, call your boss, you ain’t coming in in the morning.

“You deserve this. England deserve this. Feel it, ride it. All that outpouring of emotion is just 50 seconds away. Just try to be safe and follow the rules. Otherwise, I’m going to be in one hell of a load of trouble."

Jamie O'Hara 

Loudmouth pundit O'Hara has never been shy of a controversial opinion.

And he's even less afraid to rile up opposition fans with a cheeky dig, and that's exactly what he did before Scotland played England.

The talkSPORT pundit branded Scotland as Championship level and claimed the Scots needed 19 shots to score just once after the 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic.

He said: "Championship finishing, let's not beat around the bush.

"I know Jose Mourinho said Scotland are a Premier League outfit but they ain't. They are a Championship outfit.

"If you have got Dykes and Christie up front you need 19 chances."

O'Hara was another Englishman very confident ahead of Scotland's trip to Wembley, claiming Steve Clarke's side would get "battered by four or five".

He added: "You have no chance."

Needless to say those comments didn't age well.

Rio Ferdinand

Where to start with Rio? He was never more confident that England would beat Scotland at Wembley, but was proven wrong.

The he was full of confidence that England would win the tournament, regardless of whether it was Italy or Spain in the final. Again, his confidence was proven to be misplaced.

Ferdinand told BBC Sport: "It doesn’t matter who has gone through here because I believe England can beat both these sides (Italy and Spain).

"I just feel no one can compete with us right now. The confidence we’ve got… people might say I’m getting carried away but I don’t care.

"From what I’ve seen, England are the better team, the best team and they beat both of these teams."

Simon Jordan

Admittedly, this comment came after the final - but it's still worthy of its inclusion.

Before the final, rowdy English fans spent the day chanting about Scotland, with the words 'Scotland get battered everywhere they go'.

Ironically, Scotland picked up their only points in the tournament on the road, and at Wembley no less.

But Simon Jordan took his opportunity to dig-out Scots supporting Italy against England as he reflected on the tournament.

Referencing The National's front page with Roberto Mancini mocked up as Braveheart, which was pictured under the trophy as the Italians flew back to their homeland, Jordan ranted: “I have to say it Jim and you won’t like it, I’m disappointed to see newspapers in your country carrying headlines with pictures of [Roberto] Mancini in such a fashion when people turn around and say that we should all be together and collectively support one another and that England fans are arrogant and that they’re up they’re own backsides.

“You guys are running national newspapers with front page headlines of ‘anyone but England’. Awful.”