Permissions from wives, matching tops and party: Tartan Army on the way to Germany

Glasgow Airport was buzzing this morning as dozens of Scotland fans began their journey to Germany.

Some members of the Tartan Army left today with tens of thousands more expected to jet off ahead of Euro 2024, starting on Friday.

The Scottish team's first game will be against the hosts on opening night.

In good spirits and armed with saltire flags, kilts and football tops, supporters spoke to us about their hopes for the championships.

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Charlie Johnston jnr, Stevie Brown, Brian Dickey and Charlie Johnston (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Father and son duo Charles Johnston and Charles Johnston jnr are travelling with friends and family and staying all the way through the group stages.

The 42-year-old son said: “Hopefully, we qualify and then, we will see how we get on.

“I go to all the games with the Tartan Army.

“I’m confident just now.”

His dad, 69, added: “We are feeling great, all excited.

“It’s a big party, all friendly, looking after each other.

"My wife goes sometimes as well, she came to Amsterdam with us.

“She’s also a Scotland supporter.”

Four Legs on Tour: Bill Stewart, Charles Rough and Al Thom (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

They are joined by 'Four Legs On Tour', three friends who joke they share four legs between them.

Bill Stewart, 72, said: “It’s my first time going.

"We are fortunately all retired so getting time off work was easy. It’s more about getting time off the wife."

Al Thom, 72, joked: “Actually, that was very easy. They packed our bags for us.

"Me and Charles were in France in 1998.

“It was truly amazing, the atmosphere of the place. Everyone is there for the same thing and in a good mood, even if we get beaten."

Mike Kilday and Graham Sloan (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Mike Kilday and Graham Sloan were due to travel in business class and attend the games as a treat from Mike's son.

Graham said: “Flights and accommodation, that is cheap, the drink is the expensive part.

Mike added: “We have tickets for the Friday game and we will be back on Sunday.

“My wife will be transferring me money to make sure I don’t come back.

“This is my oldest son’s treat. He is paying for everything, flights, tickets. I don’t know about the drink.

“And we are flying business class.”

Calum and Lewis McLaughlin (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Stewart and Mark McLaughlin, from Cumbernauld, are taking the trip with their families, including Calum, 9, and Lewis, 11.

Stewart said: “They are my two boys and this is their uncle, Mark.

"We’ve got tickets to all three games between us. Everybody will get a chance to go to at least one.

“I got the T-shirts specially made for the trip. Everybody has one, we travel in there and will wear our Scotland tops for the games. We look good.

“How far we will go depends on what Scotland team turns up."

Mark stated: “We have been to quite a lot of away games, this is the boys’ first time.

“We have not seen them win too many.

“Fingers crossed we get something in this one.

“If we can just get out of the group, that will be a big achievement."

David MacVicar, Kieran Burns and Louis Kirk (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

A trio of young fans prepared for their flight as well, full of hopes for an unforgettable trip.

Louis Kirk, 23, said: “We are expecting 0-1 Scotland. It’s just the only game we are going to and we return on Monday.

“We don’t have tickets yet. It’s an experience of a lifetime.

Kieran Burns, 23, added: “It’s our first time travelling abroad for a game. We expect a party and we hope Scotland will make it out of the group stages.”