The excitement is at fever pitch ahead of the opener against Haiti tonight with fans desperate to see us start our campaign with a win.
After 28 long years the wait is finally over. Scotland are back playing football on the biggest stage of all – and the Tartan Army out in Boston just can’t wait for kick off.
The excitement is at fever pitch ahead of the opener against Haiti tonight with fans desperate to see us start our campaign with a win.
Supporters pulled on their Scotland tops and dusted off their kilts as hundreds of fans headed into the city centre early doors for some nerve calming lagers.
Elsewhere, at Rowes Wharf, buzzing footsoldiers slapped on the sun cream before marking the historical moment by heading off on a three-hour party boat.
Chris Gibson, 50, from Maud in Aberdeenshire, helped organise the cruise for over 200 fans ahead of the match.
The builder and landscaper told the Record: “I’ve got a nervous energy. Just the game, how the team are performing – but I’m excited and I know a few beers on the boat will calm my nerves.
“We have 200 of the guys on board. It’s an open bar – which I am worried about. I just hope they have enough beer!
“We’ve done nine all over Europe. So this is the first one outside of Europe.”
Fans headed down to the waterfront on Saturday morning as hundreds of excited fans boarded the aptly named ‘Freedom’ vessel.
The three-hour cruise includes an open bar, with fans lining their stomachs with sandwiches before starting on the early lagers at around 11am local time.
“It’s an early start but there’s a lot of older guys on board, so hopefully they take it easy”, said Chris.
“I’m worried about missing the game and stuff. Because it’s early days, but if anyone misses it I’m taking no responsibility!”
Asked for his prediction ahead of the match, Chris said: “I’ve got a feeling I’ve got to do something special. Become the first Scottish team to get through the group.
“It’s obviously such a big game. This one in particular – if we win this one we have a good chance to get out the group.”
Most of the fans donned the new away strip as they cheered and sang songs while boarding the boat.
As the ship set sail, the captain delighted the revellers by blasting “Freed from Desire,” with fans instead cheering “Scotland’s on fire!”
Ewan Oman, 28, a plumber from Peterhead, said: “”It’s been the trip of a lifetime already. We flew into New York. We’ve been to Mike Tyson’s local to see where he keeps his racing pigeons – it been mental.
“Then we had the boat party today which was fantastic.
“It’s such a big day. We have waited so long for this moment. I genuinely feel we are going to show up.
“We’re going to play our best team and I think our quality will show.
“History isn’t kind to us. I think in the past we have underestimated teams like this, so hopefully we’ll learn our lessons from the past. Honestly it feels different this time.”
Most fans had their travel and accommodation booked up back in November after qualification was secured against Denmark.
But Ellis Mutch, a farmer from Turriff, decided he was coming just 10 days ago after having deciding he couldn’t miss out.
The 33-year-old told the Record: “I was only six when the last World Cup took place so my memories are very faint.
“I just booked this trip 10 days ago – they talk about FOMO – a fear off missing out. I was getting serious FOMO so I just took the plunge and booked it. I packed very light, my kilt is the only bottoms I’ve got. But we are here and the atmosphere is amazing.
“The folk from Boston are so friendly. We’re here for a good time – and let’s hope we get a good win.”
Suzanne Nisbet, 52, and her husband Robert, 56, have travelled across to Boston from their home in Kirkintilloch.
Suzanne, a community staff nurse, said: “It’s been amazing trip. Absolutely magic. Back in 1998 we had just got married. Just moved in to our house.
“It was a long time ago. We were starting to feel like this moment would never come.
“We’ve not got tickets but we’re looking forward to watching the game with all the fans in the city. I think we will get the win. It will be close, but we’re going to do it.”
Kevin Lynch, a 41-year-old police officer from Aberdeen, said: “It’s amazing to finally be here after waiting all this time.
“The whole place is bouncing. Everybody has been excited before we got here – but now we are here it is finally starting to sink in – we’re actually going to be at a World Cup.
“It think it’s going to be amazing tonight. It’s going to be emotional – but it’s going to be good.
“We’ve got tickets for all three games. I’ve got a month off my work, so I’m here until I’m here until we go home.
“I think we will get the win we need tonight – but I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.
“It won’t be a walkover, they’re going to be looking at us as their easiest opponent as well.
“So I think it’s going to be tough, but I think we’re going to win 2-0.”
Speaking from the party boat as he enjoyed his first beer of the day, Kenny Hall, a 61-year-old retired police officer from East Lothian, said: “It’s unbelievable to be here.
“The locals have been absolutely fantastic. The boat is absolutely brilliant. It’s an open bar which could be dangerous, though – so it’s a good job we’re speaking to you now and go later!
“I don’t know where we will watch the game tonight. We’ll just play it by years – head into the city centre, and try and get the party started.
“It’s obviously a huge game tonight but I think we will win. 2-0 Scott McTominay double.”
Bronwyn Heatherwick, a 28-year-old NDT technician from Aberdeen, added: “It’s absolutely amazing to be here. We’re here with the North East Tartan Army and we have organised a few of these boat parties – but this has to be one of the best.
“After this we will be heading to a tailgate party with a bbq before the match. I have a ticket for the game and we just can’t wait for it. I’m predicting a 3-1 win with Lawrence Shankland to score.”
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