Scotland doesn’t play their next World Cup game until Friday, so the 5,000 members of the Tartan Legion decided to fill their free time by watching the Boston Red Sox play.
The Tartan Army marches to Fenway Park (Image: Getty Images)
Fenway Park turned into a sea of tartan on Sunday as more than 5,000 Scottish fans gathered to watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers. Scotland fans are making the most of their time in Boston, beating Haiti 1-0 on Saturday and facing Morocco in the second group stage leg of the World Cup on Friday.
Still rejoicing from Saturday’s victory, fans sang and clapped to the sound of bagpipes before a lively march to Fenway Park began at 4:45 p.m. Surrounding roads were blocked as supporters waved flags as the Scottish team made their way to the legendary stadium, escorted by local police.
Some wore customized Red Sox jerseys displaying the names of Scottish soccer legends. Hundreds of others at the event wore specially modified Scottish shirts with the words “Red Sox” embroidered on the front.
As the kilt-clad procession made its way through the park, locals stopped to take photos and videos. Even Red Sox fans who were unaware of the “tartan takeover” watched in amazement as spectators began flooding into the stadium.
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Before the ceremonial first pitch, beer was running out at a nearby bar outside the field as traveling supporters began arriving one after another. Season ticket holders immediately struck up a conversation with the Tartan Corps, asking fans to teach them traditional songs.
Early in the game, both groups chanted “No Scotland, No Party,” and the locals quickly adapted the refrain to “No Red Sox, No Party.” Scotland supporters were quick to educate other fans about the importance of ‘Super John McGinn’, who scored a pivotal goal for Steve Clarke’s side against Haiti, while at each match break the stadium DJ kept the atmosphere excited with songs such as Gala’s Freed From Desire and Loch Lomond’s Bonnie Banks.
Will Scotland beat Morocco? Let us know your score prediction in the comments section.
Scottish fan wears Boston Red Sox jersey with kilt (Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Despite the Red Sox losing 6–4, many of the visiting Scots confessed to having little understanding of what was happening on the pitch, choosing instead to savor the experience, much to the delight of the home supporters.
One of the standout moments came late in the game when a fan wearing a See You Jimmy hat repeatedly tried to stir up waves for Mexico. His determination ultimately succeeded and the entire ground joined in.
Richard Laidlaw was among those who went to the trouble of printing Red Sox shirts with the Scottish soccer player’s name on them. The 50-year-old, from Newton Mearns, wore a jersey with Billy Gilmour’s name on it.
Scotland fans were able to stay in Boston for the team’s first two games (Image: AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
He told the paper: “We’re only here for a little over a week, so we thought we’d make the most of it and go to the Red Sox. We just thought we’d get the strip and put the Scots in the back, just for a little laugh.”
“My friend planned everything for me. It took a lot of time to prepare, but it’s important to make the most of this amazing trip.”
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