For a lot of Scotland fans, the excitement from Tuesday’s qualification to the World Cup hasn’t worn off yet – but for one girl it’s been extra special.
Seven-year-old Maisie McCall from Greenock was among the mascots who accompanied the Scottish and Danish players onto the pitch.
It was a historic night for Scotland who sealed their spot at the tournament with a 4-2 victory, reaching their first men’s World Cup since 1998.
For Maisie and her dad Jason McCall, it was the experience of a lifetime.
STV NewsA lucky raffle draw gave Maisie the chance to be one of just 22 player mascots selected to lead the national teams out onto the pitch before kick-off.
“It was part of the Tartan Army membership,” Jason said. “We get sent an email to enter a ballot for the players’ escorts – and thankfully we were selected.”
Maisie was chosen to walk out with the Danish players.
STV NewsWith her braided ponytail, she lined up beside Patrick Dorgu, the player who would go on to score Denmark’s second equaliser.
Maisie said: “I got the uniform and some snacks. Then we went to my seat, went out and got pictures and went to the tunnel.
“The fireworks and the players started to come and then we walked out.”
And then, something extraordinary happened.
“Maisie came back from the pitch absolutely freezing. As she came in, we turned round as Scott McTominay did his overhead kick,” Jason said.
“We were really cold but we were up celebrating! You couldn’t get better timing coming back to the seat.”
STV NewsIt was a night neither of them will forget. But for Jason, it became even more meaningful when someone very special remembered too.
“My dad has Alzheimer’s…I took him to the match, and when I asked about the game, he remembered the next day. It shows how much of an impact it had.”
The Tartan Army will look ahead to the showpiece World Cup draw on December 5, when Scotland will learn who they will face next year.
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