THOUSANDS of Scotland fans stood up and sang the national anthem together as the team prepared for their first match at Euro 2020.
Heart captured 3000 fans singing Flower of Scotland at Glasgow Green as Scotland geared up to take on the Czech Republic.
The fan zone in Scotland’s biggest city, which shows games on giant screens, allows fans to sit in groups at picnic benches and provides food and drink, is packed today.
The space has a normal capacity of 80,000, but due to social distancing measures the zone will only allow up to 6000 people per day to gather. Face coverings have to be worn when guests are moving around, but are not required while seated in the beer garden or in the family area.
As the teams sing Flower of Scotland at Hampden, so do 3,000 fans at Glasgow Green 🏴 #HeartNews pic.twitter.com/h5sBt8gZIX
— Heart Scotland News (@HeartScotNews) June 14, 2021
Glasgow life’s senior sport development officer Chris Weitz is confident about the space.
“We’re expecting people to come to the fan zone and enjoy the games in what I would describe as one of the safest places they could come to watch the football matches – we’re outside, the tables are separated, two-metres social distancing,” he said.
“We’ve adhered to guidance, we’ve worked closely with the Scottish Government and other partners taking advice on what measures we need to have in place, and we will continue to do so.
“This fan zone will be one of the safest places to watch the Euro matches and we are very confident of that and we’ve worked so hard to ensure that will remain so for the 31 days.”
READ MORE: WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon wishes Scotland team good luck before Euro 2020 debut
This morning First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent her well wishes to the team, telling them they’ve made the nation proud already.
"After 23 long years, the big moment has arrived, our men's team back where they belong on the big stage,” she said in a clip.
"To Steve Clarke and the whole team, thanks for getting us here, you've done us proud already but the very, very best of luck for every kick of the ball.
"The whole country is behind you. We'll be cheering you on every step of the way.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here