Tartan Army gather for clinch Stuttgart game as fans cry "this is our time"

Glaswegians are among thousands of Scotland fans who have descended on Stuttgart with the cry "this is our time" amid hopes Scotland can qualify from the group stages.

Tartan Army loyalists are arriving in the city for the third leg of the Germany Euro 2024 party following the national side's 1-1 draw with the Swiss on Wednesday.

Scotland go into the game on Sunday against Hungry knowing that even three points might not be enough to qualify for the last-16. However, fans are hoping that a good performance will be enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed teams.

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Otherwise the Tartan Army will be packing their bags and heading home. Footie fans gathered in Stuttgart city centre in the sun early on Saturday afternoon before the weather took a drastic turn for the worst.

Before the downpour Jamie Hutchison, 45, a painter and decorator from Glasgow, was soaking up the rays enjoying a lager. The 45-year-old told the Record: "This really feels like this is our time. We are so proud to be here and we've got tickets for tomorrow.

"Stuttgart has been great. We're just going to get a few bevvys tonight and we're looking forward to the match. I think we're going to win 2-1 and finally get out of a group."

Jamie's dad Frank Joyce, 68, a retired electrical engineer from Renfrew, added: "It's about time we did it. I'm getting old now - I need to see Scotland get out of the group stage of a major competition."

John Paul Smith, 55, a drug and alcohol worker originally from Glasgow, said: "It's been absolutely amazing. I'm over the moon with it. The Germans are amazing, it's a lovely country.

"We've got a ticket for tomorrow and we're absolutely buzzing for it. It feels like it should be our time."

His pal Colin Young, 53, originally from Auchinleck in Ayrshire, added: "We've got to go in confident that we can do it tomorrow. None of that defence stuff.

"Steve Clarke just needs a big list of the effort everybody has made to get here. Right through different cities getting overnight buses, different trains.

"There are tens of thousands of us here. I think we'll get through. 2-0."

The Schloss Platz fan zone - which is by far the largest holding 30,000 people - will screen Germany’s game against Switzerland, which kicks off at the same time.

Officials say another 'viewing area' at the Stadt Garten (Town Garden) which could hold 16,000, will be set up for the Tartan Army - but only time will tell whether the area will be large enough for the large number of ticketless Scots.

Much like in Cologne the day before the Switzerland match Scots revellers were forced to soak up the atmosphere in torrential rain in the late afternoon on Saturday.

Shaqil Gastasab, 54, a public servant from Glasgow, was sitting near the Schloss Platz when he was approached by the Record.

He said: "It's been a fabulous trip. Stuttgart is great, all we need is the sun to come out. I've got tickets for tomorrow but my friend here is still looking for one.

"We are hoping this is our time to finally get out the group. We've never done it so let's just hope we can get the win that we need.

"I''m pretty old now, I don't know if I'll get another opportunity to come back to a Euros and I'm hoping this time round we're going to do it. I think it will be 2-1 to Scotland."

Clydebank FC Chairman Grace McGibbon, 57, added: "Stuttgart has been great. The local people are very hospitable. We're just doing a walking tour today soaking up a bit of culture ahead of the game tomorrow.

"We've got tickets. Just need to get a wee win and I think we've got every opportunity. Some of the results in the group stage so far haven't been what you've been expecting. 1-0 will do me, Super John McGinn. I think we can get that four points and finally do it."

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