Sam Adams is Boston’s signature beer, named after the fourth governor of Massachusetts and an influential founding father. On Thursday afternoon, a taproom downtown was bustling with Scotland supporters, while a large yellow flag hung over the first-floor balcony, proclaiming, “Remember Bannockburn 1315”
Among the many locations the Tartan Army could have chosen for their World Cup adventure, the city known for expelling the English seemed especially fitting. Fans dressed as William Wallace mingled with tour guides portraying Paul Revere. Others sported T-shirts emblazoned with “There are very few things in life left that you can genuinely describe as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but getting to see Scotland at a World Cup is one of them,” with the ‘T’ representing Tennent’s. Nearby, the Scottish Football Association has transformed a local pub into Scotland House, with sponsorship from M&S Food.
The venue, accommodating 2,000 people, is expected to be filled to the brim on Saturday night with fans who traveled to the United States but lack tickets for the match against Haiti, hoping for complimentary Percy Pigs. Many local bars are already bustling with patrons, and numerous supporters have shared their excitement with local television. With flights from Scotland fully booked throughout the week, estimates indicate that as many as 40,000 Scots could arrive in New England for the World Cup.
“I’m old enough to remember 1998. I was nine years old and actually it was what made me a Scotland fan. I watched the tournament and I thought: ‘I can’t wait till the next one.’ I didn’t think it would take the entirety of my teenage years, my 20s, and almost my 30s to come back. So now that it’s here, we’re fully committed to having the absolute time of our lives.” shares Gordon Sheach. “As much as being part of the Tartan Army is about having a great time – you travel, you drink, you have a wonderful experience – I’d still quite like us to be successful on the pitch as well,”
Sheach oversees the Tartan Scarf social media account, which has developed into a growing archive of clips and commentary detailing Scotland’s return from years of absence on the international stage. Following Euro 2020, then a trip to Germany two years prior, this marks Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years, with rising expectations. “And I think for this team under Steve Clarke, that’s what they deserve. The last two Euros, where we’ve been great in qualifying, we haven’t done ourselves justice at the tournament. Now is the time to do that.” Sheach states. “What we’ve got is a squad that has rebounded numerous times from disappointment,”
Alan Risk, another traveling fan and member of the Hampden Roar podcast, views Scotland’s journey under Clarke as a tale of resilience and the formation of a team that fans can relate to. “As a fanbase, we’ve done the exact same thing.” he remarks. “There are so many players you can feel attached to. At one end you’ve got the bold personality of John McGinn but at the other there’s Aaron Hickey, someone who has had his setbacks but subtly gone about his work. I think quieter fans identify with his subtle professionalism.” The stories of the players who have become national icons, including Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, reflect their struggles and perseverance. “I think Haiti will come out of the traps very fast,”
From being eliminated from the World Cup in 1974 without a loss to the infamous 1978 campaign, a solitary point from Uruguay in 1986, and defeats by Costa Rica in 1990 and a heavy loss to Morocco eight years later, Scotland’s World Cup history is filled with cautionary tales about dreaming big. However, Sheach and Risk remain optimistic about the upcoming match and are confident of a win on Saturday. “They’ve got a lot of speed and I think they’ll have to start the game rapid. But I think if we can get control of it fairly quickly, we can take control of the game.” Risk predicts. “This is just as big a moment for them as it is for us, if not more so,”
The Group C clash will take place at the Fifa-renamed Boston Stadium, located 22 miles from the city in Foxborough. The journey to the stadium is expected to be another adventure, with reports of numerous school buses being arranged to transport Scotland supporters to the match. Sheach and Risk plan to take the first train, spending $80 (£60) for a round trip, and aim to arrive about three hours before kickoff in hopes of meeting Haiti fans. “It’s their first World Cup game in more than 50 years. So I think it’s a very special thing. It’s just one of those unique moments the World Cup can throw up.” Sheach notes. “It’s their first World Cup game in more than 50 years. So I think it’s a very special thing. It’s just one of those unique moments the World Cup can throw up.”
