Seconds after Kenny McLean's shot from the halfway line hit the back of the Danish net last November, Andy Munro's children asked him a question. "Why are so many people crying?" The Ayrshire dad-of-three may have had a few tears to wipe away himself. Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark booked the first World Cup appearance in 28 years for the men's national team, unleashing waves of emotion across the country. Eight months later, as Scotland prepare to face Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, feverish anticipation has taken hold.
From parties of thousands watching in large arenas to school kids setting alarms for the 02:00 BST kick-off, excitement, nerves and dreams linger on every street. Lucy McEwan, a 25-year-old teacher in Glasgow who plays amateur football with Linlithgow Rose, said: "People don't really get behind the World Cup unless your country's involved in it, and for the first time in a lot of people's lives we are involved in it. I think everybody's super, super excited. You can see the kids are so hyped up as well about it. Our department actually got the FIFA Panini sticker book this year, and all the kids are coming in, trading their stickers with us." She will stay up for every Scotland game, meaning her classes might have a bleary-eyed teacher on Thursday 25 June – the day after Scotland play Brazil in their final Group C match, with a 23:00 kick-off.
“Scotland face Haiti in first World Cup match in 28 years, with fans and Susan Boyle rallying the team.”
Susan Boyle, the singer, shared a video on Saturday cheering on the team. Wearing a fur coat, she proudly revealed the national football team shirt and said: "No Scotland no party."
Andy Munro, who lives in Dunlop, Ayrshire, has three sons – Harry, 14, Keir, 12 and Adam, 10 – all football fans who worship John McGinn and none of whom have seen the men's team take part in a World Cup. "The timing of the Haiti game is causing some challenges," he laughs. "I think we will go to bed about eight, and then wake up around half one to watch the game – and then the boys are all playing football on Sunday morning too. So we will see how it goes. It's all they're talking about."
Signs of excitement are everywhere. Chip shops and hairdressers in Glasgow's Anniesland have Saltires draped across windows; banks in Dumfries have inflatable footballs stuck on walls next to cash machines. In Peterhead, pupils at Clerkhill School have made their own World Cup song, written by teacher Diane Pert, who put aside her jealousy at having to work while her husband flies to America for the games.
Scotland take on Haiti in Boston at 02:00 BST on Sunday, with the match available to watch on ITV. Paddy Power are offering new customers odds of 50/1 for Scotland to win the opener. The USA already impressed with a statement win in the tournament's opening game, as the co-hosts showed their quality. Now, after nearly three decades, Scotland finally step onto the world stage once more.