BELEAGUERED Scotland fans were left disappointed last night as their recent stunning run of form came to an end against old rivals England.
After five successive Euro 2024 qualifying wins there was a euphoric atmosphere amongst the Tartan Army who had hoped to secure a first home win against England since 1985.
However, it was not to be as the visitors travelled back down south with a comfortable 3-1 victory in their belt following the friendly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
As it turned out every single goal scored on the night came off an England players’ boot, with goals from Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane as well as a blundering own goal by England substitute Harry Maguire.
Sadly, fortune didn’t favour Scotland as Norway beat Georgia in their Group A qualifier for the Euros.
The news left fans deflated given that a draw between Norway and Georgia would have sealed Scotland’s place in next year’s tournament, although they remain in a strong position.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino and First Minister Humza Yousef
The day had started well with thousands of fans descending on Glasgow city centre to soak up the sun and the atmosphere ahead of kick off.
Pubs around George Square and other parts of the city centre were packed to the gunwales as supporters gathered ahead of the highly-anticipated match.
Decked out in kilts and Scotland tops, Tartan Army members could be seen in numbers at pub Hootenanny, while a group of England supporters draped a flag outside Oswald’s Bar near Central Station as they stopped for a drink inside.
Many took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a beer outside, while many belting out songs as they got in the mood before the big kick-off.
Scotland fans also gathered in large numbers at The Shed bar and club in Glasgow ahead of the sell-out match.
The special friendly was held to mark the 150th anniversary of Scotland’s first game of football against England in 1872- the first ever international football match.
Young fans were left disappointed last night Scotland’s recent stunning run of form came to an end
The 50,000-strong crowd in Hampden featured a few well-known faces, including Hollywood star Gerard Butler and rocker and life-long Scotland fan Sir Rod Stewart.
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf was also in attendance, spotted standing with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Elsewhere in the crowd Scottish Conservative leader and SFA referee Douglas Ross was there to cheer on Scotland.
However, the light-hearted scenes took a petulant turn in the run-up to kick off as a large number of Scotland fans chose to boo during England’s rendition of God Save The King.
A minute’s silence in honour of the late Scotland manager Craig Brown and victims of the disaster in Morocco was also interrupted by handful of mindless louts amongst the 3,000 strong-England support.
With the rivalry in full flow, Scotland’s ‘auld enemy’ soon took revenge as they controlled the game early on.
The seemingly inevitable opening goal for the visitors came when Kyle Walker’s low drive was redirected past helpless Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn by Phil Foden.
The day had started well with thousands of fans descending on Glasgow city centre to soak up the sun and the atmosphere ahead of kick off
Pubs around George Square and other parts of the city centre were packed to the gunwales as supporters gathered ahead of the highly-anticipated match
Many took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a beer outside, while many belting out songs as they got in the mood before the big kick-off
Three minutes later, as Scotland wobbled, skipper Andy Robertson, with time to clear deep inside his own box, passed straight to Jude Bellingham, who fired the ball low past Gunn from 12 yards.
With little in the way of goals to cheer on, some Scotland fans took to making jokes about England’s half-time substitute Harry McGuire, mocking him every time he took possession.
The ribbing continued online as well as Love Island narrator Iain Stirling took to social media to joke: ‘Scotland needed substitutions to change this game. Thankfully Southgate has brought on Harry McGuire!’
Comedian Frankie Boyle also took a pop at the unfortunate McGuire, tweeting: ‘The final insult as England bring Maguire on.’
Unfortunately, the Manchester United centre-back only added fuel to the fire when he scored an own goal, knocking Scotland captain Andy Robertson’s cross from the right past his own goalkeeper.
Real Madrid star Bellingham then set up England captain Harry Kane to slide the ball past Gunn and restore England’s two-goal lead.
Scotland will have to lift their heads following the defeat as they look to qualify for a second successive Euros.
Norway’s 2-1 win over Georgia and Spain’s 6-0 drubbing of Cyprus at home means Scotland still have work to do before the Tartan Army can book their flights to Germany.
They play Spain away next month – before a friendly in France – and then take on Georgia away in November before the visit of Norway in the final qualifier.
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