PICTURE 1: As the World Cup approaches and after Scotland’s draw with England combined with recent victories over Lithuania and Malta, it looks like our national team might be in for a chance of securing a place in the finals. 

The Tartan Army is renowned for following their team to the ends of the earth but this week we take a look at those footsoldiers who stay at home to cheer Scotland to glory. 

When Scotland qualified for the World Cup finals in 1998, Rico’s restaurant and Connelly’s Pub were but two of the many Greenock venues where fans would gather to watch the all important games on big screen TV. 

Here then are pictures from those momentous games, and I think they show something of the gauntlet of highly charged emotion Scotland supporters run through time and time again when they watch their team play. 

Scotland began their World Cup bid in the role of David, against the mighty Goliath that was the Brazil team. 
Things started well enough and these fans who watched from Connelly’s were in high spirits. 

Who would dare to dream about the victory the next ninety minutes might bring, and if positivity had anything to do with it, how could we lose! 

PICTURE 2: After a 1-1 draw against Norway, supporters gathered at pubs and bars to watch the Moroccan national team  as they sent Scotland packing with an almost inconceivable 3-0 defeat. 

I think this picture shows the sheer deflation and terrible realisation that at least for this tournament, Scotland’s World Cup dream was over. 

PICTURE 3: Hopes of a shock victory over Brazil looked dashed when ace player Sampiao scored within the first five minutes of the game’s start, but all was far from lost when John Collins slotted home a penalty kick which might put Scotland back on track for World Cup success. 

The atmosphere in the bar was electric and the air vibrated with the roar of excitement which came from the watching crowd. 

The temptation to look away from the camera and see the penalty being taken was almost overwhelming but things paid off when these supporters made the picture.  

PICTURE 4: At Rico’s wine bar, supporters looked on in disbelief as unlucky Tom Boyd ‘scored’ an own goal in the 74th minute, delivering a cruel blow to hope of a victory over Brazil. 

Looking across the picture the varying expressions of shock and surprise can be seen in the faces of those looking on. 

PICTURE 5: As schools play a big part in how the Tele covers news in our community, we visited Clune Park Primary to speak to kids about their thoughts on how things were going after the Brazil game. 

Young Patrick Hughes and Robert Vise, along with teacher Alan Graham posed up for this shot which, I think, said it all. 

World Cup fever is about to grip Scotland again and pundits believe there is a good chance Scotland can go on to the finals this time round under manager Gordon Strachan’s leadership.