The Tartan Army dreamed and Scotland achieved - now we're here for the party

We may be in France but it’s all about Germany for Scotland and the Tartan Army.

As I write this from a cafe in the wonderful French city of Lille I’m sure many Scotland fans are still nursing a few sore heads following the prolonged celebrations after Spain beat Norway in Oslo – confirming our place at Euro 2024.

It seems a little odd we now turn to a friendly match – albeit against World Cup runners up France – after the elation of Euro qualification.

Here, as Steve Clarke and his players prepare to face Les Blues, the party is still very much in full swing.

Speaking to many of the travelling Tartan Army, they know they can’t take the feeling of qualifying for a major final for granted.

The Tartan Army have travelled in numbers to Lille. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

They want to savour every second and sing every song.

Too long have they watched major tournament after major tournament go by as Scotland look on from the sidelines.

But after Clarke ended the drought in 2020, these fans now have a taste for it. You can feel the positive energy surrounding the national side.

A friendly on a Tuesday night away in continental Europe would – in a previous era – have gone down like a lead balloon with Scotland fans.

But thousands have made the trip. Thousands want to watch their heroes in dark blue play every chance they can get.

We were always famous for being one of, if not the best travelling supports in international football but add into the mix a team riding the crest of a wave and Euro qualification secured and the energy becomes crazy.

Never have a support deserved it more.

They have had a dream, boogied to a certain song and been coming down the road for a while now and with Clarke and this special group of players, they are the famous Tartan Army and they’re off to Germany.