International Career
Although born in Gateshead Don Hutchison consistently stated his passion of playing for Scotland citing the strong relationship he enjoyed with his Scottish father as the reason behind this. Hutchison's father, a miner for 35 years, was from Nairn. Hutchison first represented Scotland in a B international against Wales B in Wrexham in 1994. However Hutchison had a disappointing game and was substituted, prompting an international exile of five years. He later said, "That night at Wrexham was a bit of an anti-climax, but I never thought that was the end of it."
Hutchison debuted for Scotland under Craig Brown coming on as a sub in the Euro 2000 qualifier at Celtic Park on 31 March 1999, while Hampden Park was under reconstruction. The result was a 2-1 won for the Czech Republic. In his next game he scored the only goal of the game to give Scotland a 1-0 victory against Germany in Bremen.
Hutchison scored in the Euro 2000 qualifier 2-1 win against Bosnia Herzegovina in Sarajevo along with Billy Dodds. Hutchison also scored in the 3-0 home win against Lithuania in the same competition. He scored at Wembley in the Euro 2000 1-0 play-off second leg win over England in November 1999. Hutchison recalls: "I remember Christian Dailly playing a good pass to Neil McCann and him delivering a great cross. I finished it off and nothing was going to stop me celebrating a goal in front of the Tartan Army at Wembley." Scotland lost the tie 2-1, their quest to reach three consecutive major tournaments unravelled by a Paul Scholes first leg double at Hampden. Brown lobbied hard for a postponement of the Old Firm derby the week before. His fears were confirmed when Paul Lambert sustained a fractured cheekbone. As Brown said, “The SPL went ahead with an Old Firm game a week before. I was furious because they did not legislate for a play-off, especially not for one against England. Predictably, we get a major injury and my holding midfielder, who performed with such distinction in the Champions League final for Borussia Dortmund, cannot play. Barry Ferguson played brilliantly but he was not a holding midfielder. Scholes scored two goals and that was the guy Paul Lambert was going to pick up …”
Hutchison said in 2003, "My father died recently and he was my biggest fan. I cried when they played the national anthem before the Iceland game because Flower of Scotland was played at my dad's funeral. The happiest I ever saw him was when we beat England at Wembley thanks to my goal." He added, "Playing for Scotland for my dad was something I really wanted to do because it made him feel proud. I will never forget his face when we played England at Wembley."
Hutchison's next international goal was in Dublin in a 2-1 friendly win against Republic of Ireland. His last international goal was in a World Cup qualifier away to San Marino. Scotland won all six games in which Hutchison scored for them. Craig Brown said of Hutchison, "Don has the all-round game to make things happen, he is good in the air, has an excellent touch and is a terrific passer, lacking only pace. But he makes up for this by being tough and determined. He is a fierce tackler who can mix it, and so is a real presence in any team."
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