BACK IN BLUE
Rockers urged to reprise 1978 donning of Scotland tops at gig
ROCK gods AC/DC have been urged to wear Scotland tops once again after it was announced that they will play Munich while the Tartan Army are in town for the Euros 2024 opener.
The Scots/Aussie heavy metal giants have just announced a tour that will see them play the Olympic Stadium on June 12, two days before Scotland open the tournament against hosts Germany in the city.
Rock fans in the Tartan Army are now scrambling to get concert tickets before the big match on June 14.
The Back in Black and High Voltage stars wore Scotland dark blue tops at an iconic gig at the Glasgow Apollo on April 1978, just weeks before the illfated Argentina World Cup.
The band, then headed by Kirriemuir-born Bon Scott, sent the crowd into a frenzy when they came on stage in the strips
In 2021, kit manufacturer Umbro immortalised that with a version of the Scotland top with the year 78, High Voltage and the band’s logo on the back.
Last night the Tartan Army urged the band – which still features Scots-born Angus and Stevie Young – to wear the tops again to try to inspire our boys to glory. Hamish Husband, of the west of Scotland Tartan Army, said: “I’m already aware of quite a few Scots trying to turn Munich into a double-header.
“It would be quite a thing to get tickets for the AC/DC gig – if you’re into that thing – and double it up with tickets for the opening match of the Euros a couple of days later.
“It might be one for people with deep pockets – but anyone who manages it will be living the dream.” He added: “I’d like to think the band would do the same as at the Glasgow gig in 1978 and get the Scotland tops back on for the Munich gig. I think fans are more realistic now and not many will think we will win the Euros, unlike in 1978 when we all got brainwashed into thinking the World Cup was in the bag.
“If the band wears the Scotland strips it might seem a bit controversial, given they are in Germany and playing to a German crowd. But the German fans and Scotland fans have always had a great relationship – it would be a golden moment for anyone who’s there.”
The AC/DC and Scotland combo would be an extravagance beyond the means of many Scots – given cheapest match tickets are all snapped up and only VIP briefs are available.
The AC/DC Power Up tour is expected to have some tickets priced at under €100 but many will be more than three times that price. And hotel costs have gone through the roof due to the football extravaganza.
Musician and Tartan Army stalwart Ted Christopher expects many Scots to do their best to do the double.
He said: “I’ll be in Germany and I have a couple of gigs arranged for the Tartan Army, which I’m looking forward to. I’ll be there as long as the team is, all going well, and I’ll be doing more gigs if we can qualify for the later stages. “I’ve seen a wee bit of chat online about the AC/DC gig. If there are rockers out there who are going to Germany anyway, this might seem like a dream ticket.”
Scotland’s opening match with Germany on June 14 will see more than 100 million people tuning in on worldwide TV.
They then face Switzerland in Cologne on June 19, with Hungary awaiting in Stuttgart on June 23.
The heavy metal gods were formed by Glaswegian brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young.
Lead singer Bon Scott performed with the band until his death in 1980.
The current line-up includes Angus Young and the Youngs’ nephew Stevie. Malcolm died in 2017.
it would be a golden moment for anyone there HamisH Husband of the tartan army