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Tartan Army devastated after Scotland’s gut-wrenching loss to Hungary
THE Tartan Army were left devastated after Scotland’s gut-wrenching loss to Hungary saw us crash out of Euro 2024.
Steve Clarke’s side had been on the verge of making history as the first Scotland side to qualify for the knock-out stages of a major tournament.
But those hopes were dashed in Stuttgart when Hungary broke away to snatch victory with a goal in the last minute of stoppage time.
Many supporters were left in tears as they faced up to having to end their fun-filled German party and make plans to get home. After the footie heartache, Iain Emerson, editor of The Famous Tartan Army Magazine, said: “Like the rest of the Scotland fans I am gutted.
“It wasn’t meant to be but I can’t fault the team’s effort and determination. We just didn’t get the rub of the green in the key moments.
“The Tartan Army has rightly earned the plaudits for all the positivity they’ve brought to the Euros.
“This has generally always been the case in previous tournaments. I couldn’t be prouder to be Scottish.”
An estimated 100,000 footsoldiers descended on the German city with 10,000 members of the Scotland Supporters Club at the 51,000-capacity Stuttgart Arena.
Another 5,000 fans of our national team were also believed to have been in the stadium.
They made their voices heard with another spine-tingling rendition of Flower of Scotland belted out before the start of the game.
But it wasn’t to be our night, with Hungary’s Kevin Csoboth getting the only goal of the match — moments after the referee had denied Scotland a penalty.
Gutted fans later aired their frustrations outside the stadium after Steve Clarke’s men finished bottom of Group A. Gary Howie, 46, a dad of three and golf coach who lives in Limerick, Ireland, said: “We had to win. Where do we go from here?
“This was a great opportunity. A big rethink is needed. But nobody was not trying.
“If we’re not good enough, then we’re not good enough.”
Michael Byrne, 52, of Anniesland, Glasgow, said: “It’s disappointing but the memories of an amazing trip to Germany will last forever.”
Alan Currie, 39, from Glasgow, moaned: “It’s a massive anti-climax but being a Scotland fan, part of me expected it.”
And Scott McWilliams, 39, also from Glasgow, said: “You are always pessimistic when you support Scotland, it’s part of the game.
”But we will still have a drink because that was going to happen either way.”
Graeme Baxter, 37, of Dunfermline, said: “I was sure we would win and now I am speechless because I refused to even think about going out.”
Simon Ross, 52, a drone pilot from East Kilbride, added: “I’m so disappointed. We made more errors than Hungary. But it’s Scotland, we’ll take it on the chin and move on. We’ll still have a party tonight.”
Mum-of-two Linda Cranston, 65, a resources manager from Glasgow, said: “I’m sad. We had to go for it, this was a must win match for us. But conceding five goals against Germany just killed it.”
Roofer John Burnett, 51, a dad of six from Dundee said: “I’m gutted. Scotland means everything to me.
“It wasn’t an easy game. I really hoped that we would win.”
The atmosphere at Stuttgart’s Stadtgarten fanzone plunged from optimism to heartache after the last-minute sickener.
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Andy Keillor, 63, from Dalkeith, Midlothian, said: “It’s the usual, as every Scotland will know going back to 1974. We can’t score goals.
“We got lucky in the qualifying campaign and I don’t know what happened to Spain when we beat them 2-0.” Marion Keillor, 61, also from Dalkeith, added: “It’s hugely disappointing but we have the best fans in the world. Maybe we just need to take that away from it.”
Meanwhile, Scotland faces a mass hangover today after four million pints were drunk as a record TV audience of 2.5 million — half the nation — watched the match.
Roads and train stations were deserted as the country came to a halt, while £22million was splurged on drinks and food.
Scotland fans will be nursing sore heads
An estimated 100,000 Scots are expected to call in sick as absence rates double — with many more working from home. T
The research was conducted by Bright HR which monitors absences at more than 50,000 UK companies.
Chief exec Alan Price said: “Scotland fans will be nursing sore heads. Businesses should brace for questionable sick leave submissions.
“And some staff will show up late, with more working from home, with footie fever the culprit.”
Around two million pints were drunk in Scotland’s 5,000 pubs, with another two million more downed at home, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.
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Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The Euros are providing a huge uplift in extra trade for pubs.”
A £22million spending boost on big-match booze and grub saw around £13million spent in pubs and £9million at home.
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Football fans kick-started trading for Scottish stores, with a much-needed boost to spending.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The telly viewing figures across BBC One and iPlayer beat the previous record of 2.3 million which watched the Germany opener last Friday on STV.
Ratings provider Overnights.tv said: “8pm is prime time. People who don’t even really like football watch big international games.”
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