They may need a miracle to make the knockout scene, the weather can be awful and there may be a global pandemic lurking ominously in the background.
But come hell or high tide, you will not stop Scotland fans from having a party.
The feeling of fear that followed the defeat against the Czech Republic on Monday has given way to a defiant optimism and the Tartan army is now in full party mode ahead of their Euro 2020 collision with England at Wembley on Friday night.
Despite Sadiq Khan’s clear warning not to travel without a ticket to the game, Scotland’s fans have made their way to the British capital in droves. Flights to Heathrow were packed and most of them were loud, as the party started two days before the game.
Thousands of Scotland fans “bowed” to London ahead of Scotland’s # EURO2020 clash with England at Wembley on Friday. This was the scene of the flight @ABZ_Airport to @Gatwick_Airport @easyJet this morning. #SCO #eng #ENGSCO ⚽️ [?Ruaridh MacVinish] pic.twitter.com/LXzaxmvCx1
– Ben Philip (@BenPhilip_) June 17, 2021
Only 2,000 or so Scotland fans actually got tickets to the game. More than 20,000 traveled.
Why? Just ask this guy.
“We bring the atmosphere!”
London calls: Tartan army has begun heading south for tomorrow’s crash Euro 2020 collision with England. https://t.co/4VVFBRxGid pic.twitter.com/shULe0nXj7
– STV News (@STVNews) June 17, 2021
The Tartan Army has many heroes, but Aston Villa’s John McGinn is truly one of them. He already has ten goals for his country, and fans believe he is “better than Zidane.”
And to be fair, he is.
#Scotland fans arrive at Kings Cross #ENGSCO # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/vrykXcNfYU
– Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) June 17, 2021
The old man sent me just this. The shots are in town. pic.twitter.com/WMgL81NOVE
– Louis Beneventi ?? ⭐️⭐️ (@Louis_Beneventi) June 18, 2021
Can anyone ask this guy how the hell he got up there? The people need to know.
Scotland fans in London today pic.twitter.com/JoB4YRXotx
– Fitba Culture ??????? (@fitbaculture) June 17, 2021
Scotland brought the rain to England, but ask the traveling fans – many of whom have left somewhere to go without any assigned fan zones and most bars sold – if they care.
We’re used to the rain in Scotland. We make the most of it.
Scotland fans on Leicester Square ?? ♂️? pic.twitter.com/VpDJmTe6cU
– Alex (@mralexthfc) June 18, 2021
no scotland no party #TartanArmy pic.twitter.com/wIQW7vehYs
– ♧ cammypaterson ♧ (@ cammyap15) June 17, 2021
Scotland fans in London today … ???????? pic.twitter.com/ni8BgVJO3j
– The Away Fans (@theawayfans) June 17, 2021
With Trafalgar Square fenced in for key workers, Leicester Square became the unofficial home of the Tartan Army Party.
It was not so bad either. After all, it has a fountain, and if there’s one thing Scotland’s fans love, it’s a fountain.
Scotland fans have found the fountain in Leicester Sqaure #SCO #SCOENG pic.twitter.com/XZsx27pgMg
– Kevin Jackson (@kevinnjackson) June 17, 2021
Scotland fan in London ??????? pic.twitter.com/Izi3SLNKGv
– Casual Ultra (@thecasualultra) June 18, 2021
It was not just McGinn who felt love. Despite trying to play in midfield against the Czech Republic, David Marshall is still a hero for his playoff hero.
Scotland Fans do Conga on @allbarone on Leicester Square pic.twitter.com/moDGVzRzrv
– Subject Access (@SubjectAccesss) June 17, 2021
However, it was not all fun, games and congas.
Save a thought for this guy – that’s what we call a “boring yin” north of the border …
A Scottish fan crosses the road in London tonight … pic.twitter.com/MPjQoAqqRS
Soccer Days (@FBAwayDays) June 17, 2021
The guy was good though, and the party continued.
??????? Scotland fans definitely in London for a party … pic.twitter.com/7ENlbnlBMD
– Alison Conroy (@AlisonGConroy) June 17, 2021
Scotland fans in London for #ENGSCO #happypeople #TartanArmy #ThreeLions #ComeOnEngland pic.twitter.com/VuiGwvl8Rl
– Yemi Edun (@YemiEdun) June 17, 2021
Many pubs did not allow Scottish fans for fear that something would start. All Bar One in Leicester Square? No such fear.
Just a short walk through London. I’ve seen one or two fans in Scotland but all in all I think it’s going to be a quiet night … ??????? pic.twitter.com/efxnS1reUG
– Gordon Morris (@Gordonpmorris) June 17, 2021
Flower of Scotland is one thing, but we end with the real national anthem …
Let’s f ***** g boogie!
It’s going to be the #TartanArmy Express at Kings Cross! #SCO #eng # EURO2020 @talkSPORT pic.twitter.com/eKqo5e7F8K
– David Tanner (@DavidTannerTV) June 17, 2021
