Members of the Tartan Army who haven’t been able to get the day off work for Scotland’s Euros opener have been handed a lifeline, that may allow them to watch the game.
Due to Scotland's match against the Czech Republic kicking off at 2pm on Monday (June 14), many Scots haven't been able to get the time off.
However, Glasgow-based firm Neu Studio has developed a free app that will allow employees to dupe their bosses, partners or flatmates into believing they’re in a “Very Important Meeting” while they’re actually watching the game.
The innovative Chrome Extension makes watching football games appear as a video meeting.
The app, which is available to download here , means 'stuck at work' fans will only need a Chrome browser and they'll be able to watch games on BBC iPlayer or STV Player, while the screen appears like any other Zoom call.
Grant MacLennan, founder at Neu studio a design and technology company that fast-forwards the creation of digital products and experiences for the world's leading companies, said: “I reckon watching football is more productive than most Zoom meetings turn out to be, so I think we’re actually doing both employees and companies a favour.
“Video meetings have become ubiquitous and most bosses seem pretty happy for their employees to sit on Zoom for most of the day. After the year we’ve had, I feel pretty good about making sure that no Scot misses out on our biggest game in more than 20 years."
Grant's company has worked with some of the best-known names in global music and alcohol, including Tennent’s, Warner Music and White Claw Hard Seltzer.
The company made its name in the music industry – working with clients including Coldplay, the Chemical Brothers and Chvrches.
He explained that he was inspired to create the app after a gentle easing of Scots back into the office collided with the country’s first appearance at a major men’s football tournament since the World Cup in France in 1998, and the first men’s Euros appearance since 1996.
He added: “We’re all about creating solutions to problems. Hopefully we’ve solved a problem for office workers worried about their boss peering over their shoulder, or those looking to shirk their household responsibilities and watch the game in peace.”
You can download the extension here . Once downloaded, visit BBC iPlayer and click the jigsaw icon on your Chrome browser to activate the extension and see how the game can then integrate with what appears as a video call.
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