Scotland fans at home and in the US are preparing for a crucial World Cup match as Steve Clarke’s team prepare to take on Morocco in Boston.
After defeating Haiti 1-0 last Saturday, another victory would guarantee qualification from the group stages for the first time – and a draw would almost certainly secure a place in the last 32.
The match will be shown in pubs and fan zones across the county – with the biggest crowd gathering at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow.
Tens of thousands of members of the Tartan Army will also be watching the action in Boston.
TRNSMT’s organisers DF Concerts secured a late licence to broadcast the match into the early hours of Saturday, despite concerns from local residents.
Geoff Ellis, the chief executive of DF Concerts, called for a “sea of saltires” at the festival – but the early hours of the event were dominated by a plethora of ponchos as fans tried to stay dry.
Friends Brooke, Lewis and Megan were using Scotland flags to try and shelter from the weather, but were confident of a Scottish victory later.
“If Scotland don’t win then we’ll still celebrate as if they did,” they said.
Singer and piper Cammy Barnes – who opened the festival just after midday – will be back on stage to play Flower of Scotland on the pipes just before the match kicks off.
“When you cut the pipes off and the audience keeps singing, that moment can never be touched,” he said.
“It’s a proper hair up on your arms moment.”
Earlier indie rock band Wolf Alice, who had second top billing on the Main Stage, threw out a dedication to Scott McTominay before demanding the crowd jump up and down to old favourite Bros.
While over on the smaller King Tut’s Stage Galway indie band NewDad declared they were backing Scotland to win the World Cup.
Other fanzones are welcoming fans across the length and breadth of the country.
In Glasgow large music venues like the OVO Hydro, Saint Luke’s and the O2 Academy are all screening the match, though they require tickets for entry, as are Dundee’s LiveHouse and the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy.
In Aberdeen, fans can flock to the places like the city’s Beach Ballroom while the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh will show the fixture on a large screen.
Scores of smaller venues – like rugby and tennis clubs – are also hosting watch parties.
An impromptu ceilidh broke out at the Inverness fan zone ahead of the match.
Revellers spun their partners for a Gay Gordon’s to the dance tune Bits N Pieces, performed by Jarad Rowan, a favourite with the Tartan Army.
Both Scotland and Morocco fans have arrived at Boston Stadium ahead of the match.
Members of the Tartan Army say they are quietly confident, but are buzzing to be here regardless of the result.
Mike Noble has travelled from Aberdeen to support Scotland.
He watched the opening match in Boston’s fan zone in the city centre, and said Scotland’s win persuaded him to splash out on tickets for tonight.
“It’s cost me a new kidney, but it’s once in a lifetime so it’s worth it,” he added.
Pubs to benefit from Scotland games
Pubs are also eagerly anticipating bumper crowds, after a hugely successful Saturday for the Haiti game.
Earlier this week Louise MacLean of the Signature Pub Group told BBC Scotland it had been an incredible night.
She said: “My lord, did those tills ring. We had record breaking sales. That is a gift to a trade that has been so damaged over the past few years.”
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated earlier this week that Scotland’s group games could generate an additional £7m for pubs and bars, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be poured out during the game.
Almost all of Scotland’s councils, who approve extensions to licensing rules, have allowed pubs and clubs to stay open to show the games despite them often continuing beyond normal closing times.
Can Scotland qualify for the next round against Morocco?
A win for Scotland against Morocco – who drew 1-1 with Brazil last Saturday in their opening game – will guarantee progression into the next round with a game to spare.
It will also mean Scotland have a great chance of going through as one of the top two sides in the group.
With the eight best third placed sides, out of 12 groups, also going through, a draw is likely to be enough too. That would leave Scotland sitting on four points.
A loss would leave Scotland possibly needing a result against five times world champions Brazil in their final group game next Wednesday in Miami to progress, or else face an anxious wait on results from other groups.
- Tartan Army has ‘brought new life’ to America’s smallest state
- Why are Scotland fans putting traffic cones on statues in Boston?
- ‘It’s all they’re talking about’: Scotland gripped by World Cup fever
About the Author
