Tartan Army nursing football hangover in Munich demand 'players match fans' passion'

The Tartan Army nursing a football hangover in Munich are still remaining hopeful Scotland can get through the group stages despite a crushing defeat against the hosts.

Supporters proudly wore their kilts as they milled around the German city discussing the many things that went wrong in the 5-1 defeat.

After days of build up and excitement the players failed to turn up on the pitch - and the fans, who had spent thousands of pounds of their hard earned cash travelling for the tournament, were left reeling.

The Record caught up with loyal supporters, who collectively demanded for the players to show some passion in our remaining two games.

Lynsey Thomson, 35, from Rannich in the Highlands, and her mum Gail Gibson, 63, from Edinburgh, were waving off Douglas Martin, 62, and his son Jack, 29, as the pair headed off to Cologne.

Lynsey, who works for a campervan company, said: "We just never showed up. The fans were all up for it but it just didn't come to fruition at all on the pitch.

"We just weren't aggressive enough. We bowed down to the occasion.

"I think we'll bounce back though - it's a big learning curve. We're heading home after this one but my uncle and cousin are heading to Cologne now. Munich has broken us!"

Gail, 63, added: "Steve Clarke just got the tactics all wrong. The substitutions were all wrong. It was very disappointing.

"We need to be more aggressive and attack the opposition.

"We always knew Germany was going to be the toughest game so we need to get the results against Switzerland and Hungary now."

Scotland take on the Swiss in Cologne on Wednesday knowing they probably need to avoid defeat to stay in with a chance of progressing through the group.

Munich's largest station was abuzz with the Tartan Army as Scots, decked out in their tartan and team strips, prepared to board a train to the German city for the second leg of the Euro adventure.

Jamie Paterson, a paramedic from Dingwall, was en route with pals Kevin Campbell, Neil Dingwall and Scott Sutherland. The trio told the Record the players didn't match the passion from fans.

Jamie, 51, said: "We just didn't get close enough to them last night. We let them play and gave them too much of the ball. We didn't show enough passion.

"We were at the match and the atmosphere was amazing before the game but it was a bit flat at the end - the fans weren't happy at all.

"We were just upset at the performance more than anything else. The fans showed enough passion but I don't think the players did.

"Steve Clarke knows what needs to be done. He can fix and get the boys up for the next game. If they are not up for it then they should just go home a day early and let the fans play."

Neil McAndrew, 51, who owns a window fitting company in Elgin, agreed adding: "It was poor team selection. Billy Gilmour should have started, that would have helped us a bit.

"We now need to win on Wednesday or at least get a draw but we've done well to get here. We are no world beaters - Germany is a good team. We've just got to accept the defeat and move on.

He continued: "We were at the game and the atmosphere was still unbelievable. Scotland fans are amazing when they go away

"We are just here to enjoy it - we're gracious in defeat. We're quite used to it now and just accept it.

"We're just going to make the best of it being here and hopefully it won't be so long until the next one. We got beat 5-1 but we're still here and there's always a chance."

Englishman Andy Sullivan - whose parents are from Stirling and Dunblane - follows the Tartan Army across land and sea.

The 24-year-old, from Portsmouth, said he has high hopes for the second leg.

"There's no one thinking this is done yet. Hungary and Switzerland are beatable. A win and a draw and we'll make it out of the group", he added.

"If the Scotland team sees this - keep going guys. We're still here, there's still thousands of us out here and we're with you all the way.

"Me and my brother are in our 20s. My dad is in his 60s. The last tournament was 1998. This might not happen again for another 26 years so we just need to make the most of it."

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