It’s 1998, I am 7 years old and Scotland are playing Brazil in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup. Little did I know it would be at least 16 years until our great country would be gracing the stage at a national competition. We still have a mathematical chance of reaching Brazil in two years time, but this would involve a miracle in proportion to me becoming a professional footballer.
It always seems odd that Scotland fans rarely sing the second verse of the Flower of Scotland. Whenever its performed, those singing it always skip from verse 1 to 3. Perhaps it could be put down to people not knowing the words, or the fact the lyrics seem a bit clumsier in that second stanza, it just doesn’t seem quite as inspiring as the verses that surround it.
“The road to Rio is going to be fascinating – and we’re hoping to support the Scottish national team all the way to a place in the World Cup finals in 2014.” So said William Hill Chief Marketing Officer, Kristof Fahy when the company became an ‘Official Supporter’ of the Scottish National team. That may have been the hope, but it’s already a long way from reality.
Occasionally there comes along a game when, even as a dedicated supporter you begin to think, “do we really have to?”. Scotland’s trip to face Belgium, four days after defeat in Wales, falls squarely into that category.
You know what? I couldn’t call Friday’s game, I really couldn’t. Tell a lie, I’d faintly predicted a draw in work in a 1-1 or a 2-2 but I didn’t have much faith in a result or confidence in the game either way but was intrigued and serene as always and looking forward to it.
Supporting the Scotland national football team from a fresh perspective.
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