Excitement is palpable as Tartan Army to head to football’s biggest stage for first time in 28 years
T
he prognosis from the north Glasgow primary schools squad had been bleak. “Everybody says Scotland are going to get pumped,” my eight-year told me as he left football training on Tuesday evening, with a realism born of experience even over his short life.
But three hours later, Scotland fans across the nation and beyond were catapulted beyond euphoria as their team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in more than a quarter of a century after a bum-squeaking, breathtaking 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden.
“It was the drama of it,” croaks Hamish Husband, veteran of the west of Scotland Tartan Army, his voice still frayed from the Hampden stands. “Even John McGinn said we were rubbish,” – he references the Scotland midfielder’s robust analysis immediately after the game – “but that fourth goal …” He trails off, perhaps recalling how Kenny McLean scored a final stunning goal from his own half with just seconds of extra time to go.
