THE Tartan Army breathed a sigh of relief after a nerve-shredding draw with Switzerland kept Scotland in the Euros.
Steve Clarke’s team knew defeat was not an option and battled like warriors in Cologne to take progression into the next round down to Sunday’s last game.
More than 10,000 footsoldiers packed into the RheinEnergieStadion to will their heroes on to a historic victory and a chance at glory — just days after the 5-1 thrashing by hosts Germany.
And they got off to a dream start when, after a quick counter-attack, Scott McTominay fired a shot at goal that was diverted into his own net by Swiss defender Fabian Schar after 13 minutes in.
That sent the hordes of travelling fans in the stands into raptures before they celebrated with chants of “No Scotland, No Party”.
Unfortunately, Scotland’s lead only lasted 12 minutes. Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri took advantage of a defensive blunder to fire in a stunning equaliser.
Our Bravehearts were dealt another blow 15 minutes into the second half when defender Kieran Tierney had to be carried off with a hamstring injury.
And in a nailbiting end to the Group A match, the Swiss had two goals disallowed while Scotland’s Grant Hanley hit the post.
The 1-1 draw means we can go through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever if we can beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday.
An estimated 200,000 Scots have descended on Germany for the competition — with at least 60,000 flocking to Cologne as the national side looked to recover from the 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the hosts in the opener. And fans in the city were buzzing that the draw kept our qualification hopes alive.
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Ray Burnie, from Auchterarder, Perthshire, celebrated a 62nd birthday to remember. He told The Scottish Sun: “I’ll take a draw because we are still in the tourney and we can aim for third place.
“It gives the game on Sunday meaning, that’s what we wanted.
“Hopefully, this will give us the momentum we need.”
Stuart Robertson, 66, a retired franchise manager and dad of three from Dundee, said: “It’s not the worst result in the world.
“Realistically, it’s probably the best we can hope for. It keeps us alive in the tournament.”
Andrew Bell, 66, a grandad of six and former NHS estates manager from Kirkcaldy, Fife, said: “If we progress a bit, we’re happy.
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“We drew, so we’re still in it with everything to play for.”
Jim Bell, 64, from Dundee, said: “A draw gives us light at the end of the tunnel and we can go into the next one against Hungary knowing a win will do.”
Ewan Burnie, 28, also from Auchterarder, said: “The result gives us something to believe in and hope in and that’s what we really want.”
Darren Bonner, 43, from Glasgow, said: “It’s like the Grand Old Duke of York — neither up nor down.
“But we’re still here and that’s the buzz.” Scott Davie, 44, from Glasgow, said: “We go into the last game with everything to play for.”
John McIntosh, 62, an engineer and a dad of two from Dundee, said: “It’s all going to come down to the Hungary game.”
Gordon Larkins, 57, a dad of two and business analyst who lives near Bath, Somerset, told how he is originally from Glasgow.
He said: “We’re still in it — and that’s the main thing.”
His son Cameron, 22, an economics graduate, said: “I think a draw was the most realistic score we could have hoped for.
“A draw gives us light at the end of the tunnel”
Jim Bell
“Now we can beat Hungary and we can qualify with four points.”
Earlier, the Tartan Army piled into Cologne’s town square and packed the steps of its famous cathedral seven hours before kick-off, with bagpipers entertaining the friendly locals by playing in front of a giant Saltire.
Others were left frustrated due to train delays — with fans chanting: “Are you ScotRail in disguise?”
The thousands without tickets crammed into the 7,500-capacity Heumarkt fan zone and the Tanzbrunnen public viewing area, which had room for 12,500 people.
Scotland were handed a boost when Germany secured their passage into the next round with a 2-0 victory over Hungary at the MHPArena in Stuttgart.
Supporters in Scotland: ‘We’ve got a chance!’
SUPPORTERS packed out fanzones across Scotland to cheer on their heroes in Germany.
Punters made a beeline for a number of bars and venues to make sure they never missed a second of the crunch tie against Switzerland.
In The Tennent’s Lager fanzone in Merchant Square, Glasgow, fans went crazy when Scott McTominay put us ahead.
And everyone was delighted that the nation still has hopes to qualify.
Rachael McLaren, 19, Paisley, a dentistry student, said: “I’m happy. It means we are still in with a chance.”
Lucy Layden, 18, from Paisley who is a social sciences student, said: “It’s a decent result. It’s a step in the right direction after the Germany game.”
Erin McLaren, 19, Paisley, who is studying chemical engineering, added: “It’s a decent result. We did our best.”
Lewis Cuthbertson, 21, from Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, a graduate in accountancy and finance, said: “I’m pretty content with a draw. It means we still have a chance and it is all to play for against Hungary.”
“It’s a step in the right direction after the Germany game.”
Lucy Layden
Tatiana Duzy, 19, an Optometry student from Carluke, Lanarkshire, said: “I’m disappointed we haven’t won but at least we got a point in the game. It means we aren’t out and still in with a chance.”
John McCarthy, 32, a writer from Glasgow, said: “That’s not a bad result. “We still have a chance in this tournament, and it means it is all to play for against Hungary.”
Alan Cuthbert, 54, Hamilton, a retired spirits manufacturer, said: “I feel hopeful we have a chance in this tournament and maybe cause an upset.”
“We still have a chance in this tournament”
John McCarthy
And in the Three Sisters pub in Edinburgh fans were buzzing throughout the match.
Lucy Garden, 18, a student said: “It will be amazing if we can qualify. I think the team has done exceptionally well to get to this stage.
“Friday was a disaster, but we need to look forward. I think we have a chance of qualifying. But no matter what happens we still party.
“The game tonight was excellent and the boys played well.”
Connor Cockburn, 22, a stonemason from Edinburgh said: “We done a lot better than we did on Friday. The boys played well and were holding onto the ball and our possession was good.
“These boys are under extreme pressure and they are doing us proud.
“The squad is much more confident tonight. There is a lot riding on the next game to ensure we do enough to qualify.”
Jack Simpson, 37, an admin worker from Fife said: “We played really well and deserved to take something from the game.
“It is like a totally different squad from the game against Germany. We are now playing with some belief and passion.
“Fingers crossed we can do the business on Sunday.”
“We were back playing the excellent football that we can.”
Rosie Crawford
Rosie Crawford, 47, a cleaner from Edinburgh said: “I watched the game on Friday and what a difference it was.
“We were back playing the excellent football that we can.
“There was some slack passing that resulted in them scoring. That needs stopped if are to qualify.”
Simon Atkinson, 43, a lorry driver from Hawick, Roxburghshire, said: “I have every confidence that we can still qualify.
“We got off to a terrible start and we need to do better if we are to stay in the competition.”
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Laura Jackson, 25, a student from Edinburgh added: “The players have given their all for their country and that is all we can ask.
“They have given us some great memories. We can still qualify and I am sure we will.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
