Plean Tartan Army pitch in with Wembley support
Fans are hoping for victory
Foot soldiers from Plean Tartan Army (PTA) have the kilts looked out and singing voices finely tuned ahead of their much-anticipated trip to Wembley.
Ten Scotland fanatics from the supporters’ group will be among the 14,000-strong Scottish crowd cheering on Gordon Strachan’s men as they take on the Auld Enemy in London on Friday night.
Eight fly down tomorrow (Thursday) before being joined by the remaining two, who have somehow secured hospitality briefs, on Friday.
Scotland are in need of a victory against Gareth Southgate’s men if they have any designs on reaching the World Cup in Russia in two years time.
And Murray Kelly of the PTA says that he is living in hope that come 10pm on Friday night they’ll be toasting a famous victory over the English.
The 48-year-old said: “We were all in the pub on Saturday discussing the match and on paper we have no chance.
“However, having watched them [England] I know that they are not great and they can be quite dodgy of the guys agree with me on that.”
The group, who are all aged between 30 and 50, are all set to travel south for arguably Scotland’s biggest game in over a decade.
Murray added: “We used to go on a lot of the trips but haven’t been able to get to them all of late. Most of the guys are married now and have to think about other holidays.
“There’s no way we were missing this one though. We even have a few first-timers coming along too. In my first away game we won in France so I’m hoping they bring similar luck.
“We’re staying in a hostel in Hammersmith which is ideal for tube access. I know there are a lot of Tartan Army parties going on, and some ticketed events nearby, but we sometimes prefer going to a smaller, quieter bar and mixing with the locals. I’m not sure how that would work in London, though! We fly back up on Saturday and we’ve all agreed that, no matter the result, we’ll be in the Clansman by 11pm on Saturday night.”
Stirling MP Steven Paterson reckons the PTA will have much to celebrate this weekend. He said: “It’s usually when Scotland need a result that we get one, so I’m utterly confident – 1-0 to Scotland!”
We fly back up on Saturday and we’ve all agreed that, no matter the result, we’ll be in the Clansman by 11pm