I cheered for Serbia in England’s opening game, likewise for Denmark in the second (Picture: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Well, that’s that then.
After the usual misplaced hope and inevitable despair, Scotland did as Scotland does and bombed out of a major tournament in the group stage.
Off the pitch, we lit up Euro 2024, turning multiple German cities into a sea of tartan and winning praise from tourist bosses and local politicians, and drinking so much beer in Cologne that England fans might be forced to go without (it’s all about the small victories…)
On the field however, we stank the place out, posting historically bad stats for attacking intent and playing a brand of football so absurdly risk averse it made Keir Starmer look like Evel Knievel.
But as the Tartan Army heads home, licking our wounds and nursing our hangovers – there is a final indignity to face, as English friends, colleagues and even top pundits turn expectant eyes to their jaded Celtic cousins and ask ‘You’re backing us now, right?’
It’s the age-old question that gets trotted out before, during and after major events like Euros and World Cups, with Scottish sports stars, celebrities, and even politicians expected to declare their allegiance for the England team.
There’s ‘nae chance’ of me supporting England, as we say in Glasgow (Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Well, forgive me for speaking on behalf of the nation, but the answer to that is a resounding no.
Nope. Not at all. ‘Nae Chance,’ as we say in Glasgow.
I cheered for Serbia in England’s opening game, likewise for Denmark in the second, and will be backing Slovenia today – and that’s not because I’ve done a DNA test and discovered some inexplicable Balkan, Scandinavian, and central European ancestry.
It’s always telling the reaction you get from people when you reveal that; English friends who look at you in a different light all of a sudden, colleagues who assume you dislike them as much as Harry Kane, and left-wingers who respond as if you’ve abandoned all principles and are about to go on a stop the boats protest.
None of that is true, obviously. I don’t hate England, nor English people – I live here for one thing, and I’d have a pretty unpleasant time if I actively disliked those who make up 90% of my social and professional circles.
But when it comes to sport, all bets are off.
Scotland v England is one of the oldest sporting rivalries (Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
And it’s not just football – I’ll watch England lose at virtually any sport, no matter how obscure.
I think cricket is so boring that broadcasting it should be designated as a form of visual torture, but if I overhear a conversation about how ‘Baz’s Boys are trailing the Windies by three wickets and an innings’ – I’ll pretend I have a clue what any of those words mean and tune in.
Of course, the main reason for this …read more
Source:: Metro
