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Tartan Army beaten in their own backyard
Thursday, 21 August 2008
A resounding victory for Northern Ireland then?
In the big Battle of Britain at Hampden Park last night they simply couldn’t live with us.
We battered Scotland in every department.
George Burley must be asking himself a brave few questions this morning.
But the Tartan Army in the stands will recover from this humiliation.
After all haven’t the Green and White Army left bigger nations than Scotland red faced in recent years.
So much though for the boisterous Tartan Army that is renowned the world over for their colour and bravado.
Granted, there were a few kilts and wigs in the Scottish stands but they paled into insignificance in their own national stadium against six and half thousand passionate members of the Green and White Army who invaded Glasgow from early morning yesterday – singing their songs, roaring out their impressive and comical chants while proudly wearing their replica shirts and scarves.
At half-time such was the lack of atmosphere coming from the Scots end, they needed the musical classics “Take the High Road” and “5,000 miles” to inspire them to sing loud and proud.
And where exactly were all the Scots?
The Scottish FA had brought tickets prices down to £15 for the occasion but they obviously felt this was a meaningless friendly and voted with their feet with the attendance for the evening only around 25,000 – a poor showing when you consider that the old home internationals, which the SFA is fully behind, is set to return in only a few years time.
Earlier in the day, the Northern Ireland supporters had met up in Exchange Square area of the city centre before making their way out in droves to Mount Florida. It was a hive of activity.
The Scottish FA had been seriously concerned about a lack of respect towards “God Save the Queen” and the PA announcer had pleaded with the Scottish fans to respect the national anthem of Northern Ireland. And while the majority sang along there were of those who attempted to ruin proceedings by booing throughout.
Northern Ireland fans though when it came to the anthem refused sink to such depths and sang along with the wonderful “Flower of Scotland” - with the flags waving in unison, it truly was a sight to behold.
During the match, the banter was flying between the sets of fans with the Northern Ireland fans chanting “You’re just a small part of England!”
With Northern Ireland wearing their white away shirts a certain section of the Scots support asked: “Are you in England in disguise?”
There was much spontaneous laughter amongst the ranks of the Green and White Army at this suggestion and then we had the usual rendition of “Rule Britannia” which brought a new chorus of boos.
The first-half had been a flat affair and it seemed watching the fans was a far more entertaining.
It did spark into life in the second half and the Tartan Army suddenly found their voices when young Ryan McGivern was shown a red card and then shouted their displeasure and delight at the way Northern Ireland’s penalty was conceded and the resulting David Healy miss.
Northern Ireland, however, won the battle in the stands and remain a force to reckoned with heading into the World Cup qualifiers.
They were certainly Nigel Worthington’s Bravehearts last night.
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N. Ireland battered Scotland in every department?
were you even WATCHING the same match as me????
N. Ireland defended well, sure, but what did they have coming forward? i'll tell you, NOTHING
Scotland were better going forward, better in the midfield, and saved a penalty. it was pretty hard to judge their defensive skills the same as it was hard to judge N. Irelands attacking skills, neither because neither were on show.
i credit northern irelands defending, as they kept what was at times a rampant scotland from scoring what could have ended up as a rugby score.
so the question begs to be asked again Paul Ferguson, what match WERE you watching?
Posted by Wee Tam | 04.09.08, 15:52 GMT
It's just banter, no-one really takes that sort of thing seriously between our two countries.
NI does need a different national anthem though, I've thought that for a long time.
And the song is not "take the high road"...it's "loch lomond".
Posted by Andrew | 23.08.08, 20:00 GMT
Mr Ferguson seems to have a few things correct in this article, but what a pompous and ignorrant man he makes himself to be.
Its not because I am a Scot that it has offended me, but just the sheer childishness and blinkered mentality. He should travel to other parts of the world and learn to keep his eyes and ears open and respect the qualities of good people, rather than shove a childish rant down our throats.
Posted by Angus | 22.08.08, 22:19 GMT
angryman, lusk & fc -
your comments are spot on and i would like to add that the article seems a bit pompous.
Posted by stracathro | 22.08.08, 15:12 GMT
To fc enough to fill windsor twice over when was the last time u checkd the capacity to be 11,000 ??? Good result lads away from home and once again brilliant support. And angryman our own national anthem that is really a very educated comment???????
Posted by GAWA | 22.08.08, 09:28 GMT
To angryman are u that navie asking why do NI sing God save the Queen?? That is our own national anthem ask we are part of the uk and the queen is our monarch! NI hadden their full team out and finishd with 10 men away from home i think this was a good reslut from our wee country!
Posted by Andrew | 22.08.08, 09:21 GMT
It was only a friendly for God's sake.Both sides fielded shadow sides - more especially Scotland who were without five key big players.And that's another thing - why haven't N.Ireland their own national anthem? Singing " God Save the Queen" is a complete joke,especially in Scotland. I watched the game and you must have been watching something else because Scotland were camped in N.Irelands half for most of the match.
Leaving that aside, you quote "Scotland's humiliation" What? Were the Scots gubbed 5-0 or something? Nope. If Scotland is a part of England,where does that leave N.Ireland? They're not even British in the true sense,cause they're not part of Great Britain, only the U.K. Most young scots are desperate to rip up this union anyway,and they will,when they get the chance.Just as n.ireland should,or just become part of Eire,as they once were. Most English folk can't see the point of ulster and couldn't care less if they disappear.
Posted by Angryman, Lusk | 22.08.08, 03:25 GMT
It seems that the Scots-Scots don't know that the Ulster-Scots want to see Scotland together with Northern Ireland in South Africa. They don't realise that Belfast is more Scottish than Edinburgh, and that Co. Antrim is as Scottish as Ayrshire.
Half of Belfast supports Celtic, and half supports Rangers!!! All of the 6,500 Northern Ireland fans at the game support Scotland...except when they are playing the Ulstermen...
O flower of Scotland......STAND UP FOR THE ULSTERMEN!
Posted by Lauren | 21.08.08, 21:56 GMT
What a load of tosh this article is and very anti Scottish. You may also find the song you are referring to by the Proclaimers is actually 500 miles as opposed to 5000 miles, a bit more research required I think?. In addition even if you subtract the supposed 6,500 NI fans from the crowd of 28,000, still leaves a home support of 22,000, enough to fill Windsor Park twice over...
Anyway we will see who will qualify for South Africa between the 2 countries...
We'll be coming down the road, when you hear the noise of the tartan army boys we'll be comng down the road!!
Posted by FC | 21.08.08, 15:37 GMT
Did the Scots sing "Youre just a small part of Ireland"?
Posted by SC | 21.08.08, 14:19 GMT