Yahoo Finance Supporters enjoy the occasion as Scotland kick off Euro 2020 campaign
Thousands of Scotland football fans have belted out the national anthem at Glasgow’s Euros fan zone ahead of the country’s men’s team appearing at their first major tournament in 23 years.
Scotland takes on the Czech Republic in their opening game of Euro 2020 on Monday, with up to 3,000 people at a time allowed in the designated fan area at Glasgow Green.
The game is the team’s first at a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.
Eddie Smith, 25, from Dunfermline said it was “unbelievable” to be in the fan zone with five of his friends after acquiring tickets.
He told the PA news agency: “It needed to go ahead here and it’s unbelievable it has. The security is great, everyone is sitting down spaces apart.
“If you didn’t have this everyone would be firing into a pub or a flat, with a lot more than six people.
“The Government advice has been to stay outside and here we are all distanced with table service, I’m happy we have this here. I was the only one of my mates to get the tickets.”
Friends James Hill, 26, Steven Thistleton, 25, and Ross McArthur, 19, also agree the outdoor fan zone is the best option for supporters.
Mr Hill told PA: “It’s basically a massive beer garden, although I was a bit shocked it’s £13 for a pizza. Pints are £6 which is all right.
“We’ve not come into close contact with anyone outside our group, everything’s getting brought to us.
“If you weren’t here you would be in a pub or a flat, and they’ve got track and trace and security so it’s brilliant.”
Concerns have been raised about the safety of the event amid the pandemic, with fans not required to take a lateral flow test before attending, but organisers have said they are confident it is a safe environment.
Some 12,000 fans are at the city’s Hampden Park stadium for the game – reduced from capacity due to comply with coronavirus restrictions – and Scotland’s First Minister has urged caution from supporters in and out of the stadium.
In a video message on Twitter, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Every single Scotland fan has waited such a long time for this moment.
“Every fan deserves to enjoy this and I hope everybody does enjoy it.
“I’ll be watching along with everybody else.”
A moment 23 years in the making 🏴🏴#COMEON #SCO pic.twitter.com/DQs535WOl3
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 14, 2021
She added: “I’m the one that’s got to say it of course – we’re still in the Covid pandemic.
“So, as you enjoy, we hope, lots and lots of Scotland goals, please try and do it safely, for your own sake but for those you love as well.”
The First Minister also sent words of encouragement to the squad, saying: “After 23 long years, the big moment has arrived – our men’s team back where they belong on the big stage.
“To Steve Clarke and the whole team – thanks for getting us here, you’ve done us proud already but the very, very best of luck for every kick of the ball.
“The whole country is behind you, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.”
