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PICTURES: Inverness footie fans get in the spirit of Euro 2020 tournament as Scotland prepare to face England at Wembley today


By Ian Duncan

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Scotland football fans in Inverness are hoping for a better result today when the men’s national team face England in Euro 2020.

Supporters expressed emotions of pride, frustration, disappointment and optimism on Monday after the team made its first appearance at a major football tournament since 1998.

The Tartan Army watched as Scotland lost 2-0 at Hampden against the Czech Republic in their first game in Euro 2020 – and face England at Wembley tonight

(8pm kick-off) in a crunch game, made even more mouth-watering due to bragging rights being on the line.

Scotland fans are expected to watch the game in a number of pubs and bars in the city centre, as they did on Monday.

Traders have also been doing a brisk trade in Scottish-themed souvenirs and flags to help fans show their support for the team.

Kieran Mackay, of Allsorts gift shop in Union Street, has done a roaring trade in a range of Scottish souvenirs during the run up to the competition. He said: “Hopefully if the team gets a bit better it will continue.”

He said he could not remember seeing the national team in a major competition, adding: “I’ve never experienced them in a tournament and it is good that the flags are selling.”

Bruce MacGregor, who runs MacGregor’s Bar in Academy Street, said it was full on Monday and the atmosphere had been “marvellous”.

He said: “When the first goal went in I thought ‘here we go again’. There was lots of shouting and screaming when we never scored.

“We are looking forward to every Scotland game and there are lots of people booking spaces so there will be a good atmosphere.”

Mr MacGregor said they have also launched a European-themed menu to coincide with the tournament.

Craig MacLeod, who runs the Innes Bar in Innes Street, also found that showing the first game had proved popular with customers, adding: “It was a very good turnout but not a very good result for Scotland.

“They were all very disappointed when Scotland lost but they are looking forward to Friday’s clash.”

Billy McKechnie, who runs Blackfriars in Academy Street, also saw a good turnout and said everyone was well behaved.

“It was the score that was disappointing so let’s hope they can pull out a miracle result on Friday,” he said.

“We have already got bookings coming in. People are advised to book ahead because if you don’t book ahead you are going to be stuck without a seat. I think it’s going to be packed.”

Related article: Come on Scotland! Excitement builds for the Tartan Army in Inverness and the rest of the world ahead of tonight's must-win match against Scotland at Wembley Stadium in Euro 2020


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