Tartan Army exodus begins as Scotland fans leave for Germany ahead of Euro 2024

THE Tartan Army exodus for Euro 2024 is well underway as more Scotland fans jetted off to Germany today ahead of the opening clash.

Thousands of fans descended on Glasgow and Edinburgh airports as footie fever took a grip and hopes grew of making history with a result against the hosts on Friday.

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Steve Clarke’s men take on the hosts in the opening match of the tournament in Munich on Friday night.

Diehard supporters have been spotted sporting kilts, sporrans, bonnets and dark blue jersey as they geared up for their flights.

And despite having concerns over our injury-hit squad, the optimism remained sky-high as we caught up with loads of fans heading out to the tournament.

Robert Mellon, 66, from Langside said: “I’m off to Frankfurt today. I’ve got tickets for the game on Friday.

“I’m hoping for a 2-1 victory for Scotland on Friday. There’s a lot of pressure on Germany, with them being the hosts. We’ve got a fair few men down with injuries and it’s annoying that we can’t find a striker.

“We’ve got plenty midfielders. John McGinn scores his fair share. I went to the ‘98 World Cup opening game against Brazil and Scotland gave them a run for their money.

“The ref said at that game, ‘May the best team win‘, and Graeme Souness responded with ‘I hope not’. The same goes for Friday’s game. It’s half chance. I am patriot and I’ll back Scotland all the way.”

Friends, Norrie Kelly, 66, and Stephen McLaughlin, 59, are off to Germany this morning until Saturday.

Norrie said: “We’re just going for the first game. I’d be quite happy with a draw on Friday. I’d obviously be over the moon with a win, but I’ll happily take a draw.

“The Germans are not playing quite as well as the usually do. You know what it’s like when we come up against the big guns, we’re always better.”

Stephen added: “We’re lifelong fans. We’ve been going to see Scotland playing for many years now. It’d be brilliant to see them win.”

Dominic Burns, 26, from Maryhill was kitted out with his kilt ready for his flight to Frankfurt this morning.

Sharing his high hopes for a convincing victory, he said: “I think Scotland will win 5-0. We got our tickets for face value, so it was well worth it. Even if they don’t win, we’re getting a holiday out of it.”

His friend, Ben Garret, 27, from Aberdeen, wasn’t quite as hopeful for the outcome of Friday’s game: “To be quite honest, I think we’ll lose. I can see it being about 3-1 to Germany, but I’ll be there cheering on the boys either way.”

Brothers Daniel and Michael Quinn from Bellshill don’t yet have tickets.

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Hoping to get some over in Germany, Daniel, 28, said: “We might watch the games from the fan zones. It’ll no doubt be a great atmosphere anyway. We’re out there until the 20th of June and we’re heading to Cologne for the second game too. We don’t have tickets for that either, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll get some out there.”

Joined by his half-German girlfriend, Christina Goebel, 31, Daniel said he is “cautiously optimistic” for Scotland in the Euros.

He added: “I’m quite torn here. I can’t let the in laws down by saying I hope we thrash Germany, so I’ll remain diplomatic and say I hope for a draw.”

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Harry Cathcart, 83, from Kilcreggan, said: “I’m going to all three games. I spent quite a fair amount on my tickets. Would you believe my first ever Scotland game was the 1974 game against East Germany?

“50 years ago it was, and I’m off again today. I’m very much looking forward to going. I think we’ve got a fair chance. There’s a lot of pressure on Germany playing at home. I expect a 2-1 result on Friday.”

Work colleagues, Dylan Marshall, 23, and Matthew Calcher, 21, from Peterhead are heading off to Frankfurt this morning.

Dylan said: “I think we’ve got a solid enough team despite all of the injuries. Let’s hope for no more though. We go to every home game and we’ve been to a few away games. We’re buzzing for it.”

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