Boston bounce sends Scotland to Miami with hope and no fear
When the draw for Scotland's first appearance at a men's World Cup in 28 years was made in December, all eyes were on Brazil in Miami.
A glamour game against the undisputed icons of the sport, staged in one of the coolest cities on the planet.
It does not get much better than that, does it?
Boston said "hold my beer", if there is any left, that is.
The Tartan Army leave Boston reluctantly, while doing so with a heap of hope in search of history as progression out of Group C remains in the grasp of Steve Clarke's side.
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For a whole generation, this is a first World Cup. What a place to spend it.
Born Slippy, the evocative Underworld song that resonates so deeply with the millennial and Gen Z crew who are living through this for the first time, bounced down the streets of Boston earlier in the week.
Hairs on the back of the neck were standing up, eyes watering away. Folk from these parts gawping and filming their visitors in awe.
They now know how super John McGinn is, that no Scotland means no party and that washing-up liquid is one of the most important items on a trip of this kind.
Known for their sporting success - the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, the Bruins, the New England Patriots - soccer is not one of them. Well, it wasn't two weeks ago.
Now, there are billboards advertising the possibility of owning a professional Scottish club., external
Locals are asking where they can buy the pink shirt? It's salmon, lads.
Bostonians have fallen for the Scots. And vice versa.
The break-up will be tough to take for both. Saltires won't droop down hotels or poke out car windows, McGinn's name won't keep them up at night and cones will no longer land on any statues.
Boston Common will no longer be the central meeting place, nor will the Tartan Army pack out any more nights at Fenway Park. What do we do without baseball now?
Well, there appears to be a night down in Miami lined up with the Marlins. Know your audience and all that.
Two nations who adore their football teams, meeting in 'Magic City'. Something enchanting might need to occur down there for Scotland to secure what they set out to do.
Date with destiny beckons
They are in as good a position as many of the travelling Tartan Army could have hoped for at this stage.
Perhaps a few would have fancied more goals against Haiti, but beggars cannot be choosers after a 36-year wait for a win on the biggest stage of all.
After a short stop back at base camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, for Clarke's men, they will make their way back to Florida where this adventure kicked off three weeks ago.
Fort Lauderdale hosted the Scots for their pre-tournament training camp, so the heat and humidity that will hit them when they step off the plane will not be a shock.
Scotland getting a positive result against Brazil - who they have never defeated in 10 encounters - on Wednesday will be, though.
Carlo Ancelotti's side breezed past Haiti to leapfrog the Scots in Group C on Saturday. Again, to be expected.
No one enjoying their final few hours in Boston will be getting bogged down by the possible permutations, but there is a chance the Scots end up back here by the end of the month against Germany.
Two years ago the Tartan Army were adored at Euro 2024. Cologne, many thought, could never be topped.
Boston had other ideas. They will be holding their breath and crossing their fingers their friends from across the pond pile on back in a matter of days.
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