Scotland’s long wait is finally over. After 28 years away from football’s biggest stage, the Tartan Army are back at the World Cup and ready to celebrate in style.
Steve Clarke’s squad take on Haiti in Boston tonight, with kickoff at 2am BST – and it’s fair to say Scottish fans aren’t holding back.
The nation is expected to get through a staggering five million pints as they cheer on the boys in blue.
Tennent’s, the country’s favourite lager, has been working flat out to keep up with demand. The brewery reckons Scotland’s three group matches are the equivalent of three Hogmanays crammed into just ten days.
Look out Boston, the Jocks are here
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That gives you some idea of just how massive this moment is.
The celebrity turnout in Boston has been nothing short of spectacular.
Gerard Butler, Martin Compston, Richard Gadd and First Minister John Swinney were among the famous faces who gathered at a Scottish Night gala at the Royale venue on Friday evening.
A traditional piper welcomed guests as they made their entrance.
Butler, best known for his role in 300, looked every inch the proud Scot in his kilt and Tartan Army jersey, flashing a thumbs up for the cameras.
Gerard Butler is ready for Scotland’s opener, dressed in kilt and Scottish kit
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Baby Reindeer creator Gadd also embraced the Highland spirit, sporting traditional dress complete with a plaid kilt and black sporran.
Former footballers James McFadden and Darren Fletcher joined the party, along with Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney, who arrived in a tartan-covered car.
The Tartan Army’s thirst has proven quite the challenge for Boston’s bars and pubs.
The Scottish fans have waited a long time to return to the World Cup
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Reports suggest Scottish supporters have practically drunk the city dry ahead of tonight’s match.
One pub owner was overheard telling staff they were running out of beer and needed to order more supplies to keep their Scottish visitors happy.
The booze shortage actually started before fans even touched down. Flights from Scotland to Boston reportedly ran out of beer mid-journey as supporters got the party started early.
NBC reporter Brianna Borghi, covering arrivals at Logan International Airport, said: “Scottish fans are arriving here at Logan Airport and get this. They told us their plane ran out of beer so you know they are not messing around.”
Tennent’s has shipped 400 per cent more kegs to American venues compared to last year.
The Scottish are drinking Boston dry – with kegs of Tennent’s being shipped in record numbers
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Back home in Scotland, the atmosphere has been building all day.
Pubs across the country have been packed since the early hours, with some dedicated fans cracking open their first pints at 8am.
Quinn Simpson, 24, travelled down from Inverness on the 7am train and has been drinking ever since.
“Everybody’s buzzing,” he said. “I’m feeling confident about the game, always.”
For younger supporters like Quinn and his pal Finlay Rollo, also 24, this is genuinely historic – Scotland’s last World Cup appearance at France 98 happened before they were even born.
The Americans have no idea what has hit them – a tidal wave of blue kilts with a thirsty appetite
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Stephen Montgomery, director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, called it “a gift to pubs, bars and restaurants” and predicted it would be the biggest night since Hogmanay.
Craig Ferguson provided one of the weekend’s most heartwarming moments when he completed an incredible 3,000-mile charity walk across America.
The 22-year-old from Paisley set off from Los Angeles in February and arrived at Boston Common on Friday with just a day to spare before kickoff.
Traditional pipers and crowds of Tartan Army supporters greeted him with cheers and chants of “no Scotland, no party.”
The Scottish Government marked his achievement with a £400,000 donation, helping him reach his £1 million fundraising target for Scottish Action for Mental Health.
Scotland kick their World Cup campaign off against Haiti on Saturday night – or Sunday morning for those watching at home
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Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also got in on the action, visiting the squad at their Boston training ground and wishing each player good luck personally.
He even promised them a table at his exclusive London restaurant Lucky Cat – but only if they win.
