Scotland’s Tartan Army supports baseball in Boston
Scotland’s travelling supporters descended on the Boston Red Sox fixture against the Texas Rangers as they continued their celebrations after winning their opening World Cup game against Haiti, 1-0, reports BritPanorama.
Thousands of members of the Tartan Army packed into Fenway Park for a shift from World Cup action with cold drinks and America’s national pastime.
The Scottish contingent made their presence known in the contest, filling the stadium with chants of “no Scotland, no Party” while orchestrating a Mexican wave that swept continuously around the entire ground.
Despite the home side falling 6-4 to the Texas Rangers, the result did little to diminish the jubilant mood among the Scottish supporters.
The party continued well beyond the final out, with fans congregating in the bar area outside the stadium where football songs dedicated to John McGinn echoed for nearly an hour. Amy Martin, 31, a Glasgow native who has called Boston home for 15 years, said: “I’ve been in Boston for years and this is the best baseball game I’ve ever been to in my life.” Her friend Stephen Brown described the evening as “fantastic”, praising the atmosphere and the way events unfolded.
Eric Brown, 63, said: “I loved it. I think we made the party. I think we definitely had a presence there. The John McGinn stuff at the end there was fantastic, wasn’t it? Just mental, but great fun.” McGinn was the hero in Scotland’s opening game against Haiti, with his deflected shot enough for Steve Clarke’s side to get off to winning ways. The Aston Villa captain’s strike also marked Scotland’s first goal at the tournament in 28 years, ending a lengthy drought on their return to the men’s competition after more than a quarter of a century away.
Brazil’s earlier stalemate with Morocco meant Clarke’s side climbed to the summit of Group C with the narrow triumph, moving them closer to reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Clarke was delighted with the result, telling captain Andy Robertson it was “about time we won a game in the group stage”. He stated, “Everyone said must win. We won the game. That’s what this team is all about.”
The victory positions Scotland at the top of their group, with their next fixture against Morocco in Boston on Friday, June 19. A single point from their remaining two matches would likely be sufficient to secure passage to the knockout stages, a feat Scotland have never previously achieved at a World Cup. The excitement in the air is palpable, reminding everyone how sport can galvanize communities and create unforgettable memories across oceans.
