After a shot heard round the world for Scotland fans, John McGinn sealed a nerve-wracking first FIFA World Cup victory for the national side in 36 years. And while the scenes on the pitch weren't an easy watch, the Tartan Army's experience off it hasn't been pretty either.
"Who cares, we won," were the words of Scotland manager Steve Clarke following the 1-0 win over Haiti at Boston Stadium, and while every single fan will agree with that sentiment, there's no doubt that, despite paying through the nose to be here, there have been major issues for them.
Read More: I'm reporting on Scotland fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
In the days leading up to the game, we spoke with dozens of fans who hadn't been able to secure tickets because they were priced out, and then couldn't get into the free FIFA fan zone at Boston City Plaza.
The 5,000-capacity venue was where I watched the frustration, elation, and relief flow through the lucky fans who managed to secure a ticket through the lottery system; however, with an estimated 50,000-plus Scottish fans here, the hosts haven't provided a suitable space for them, not to mention they ran out of beer at some of the bars.
Before the fan zone had even opened, Boston City councillor John FitzGerald told us "we got the heads up that the Tartan Army rolls deep" before blaming the small capacity on Boston being "one of the oldest city's in America" and claiming that "they don't make a lot of land any more" and admitted that they're "lacking on hosting these big events."
Read More:
- What it's like to fly with Tartan Army to 2026 Fifa World Cup
- What 'annoyed' John McGinn about Scotland's World Cup win vs Haiti
- Andy Robertson insists Scotland players 'pretty relaxed' vs Haiti
For those heading to the game, after shelling out thousands, they faced the "biggest queues they've seen in their life" to get the MBTA train down to Foxborough, or joined the thousands riding in rented yellow school buses to the stadium.
When they arrived, you'd imagine the 65,000-capacity stadium would be set up to handle the influx of kilt-clad fans - think again. Thousands queued up at turnstiles in the searing heat, with some fans saying they didn't move in the line for over an hour. One fan told us that "eventually, security just gave up and let us all through."
What awaited then was as Scottish a win as one can get; our sports writer in the stadium said it "felt like an exorcism. A tense, nervous, cleansing of the soul." Carrying the hopes of a nation after 28 years of World Cup drought can't lead to relaxed football.
The Tartan Army showed up for them in their usual splendid fashion - in the stadium, it's been reported that a 125-decibel sound level was recorded during Flower of Scotland, which makes it the loudest noise at a World Cup tournament ever.
A sound recording was taken of 125 decibels in Boston last night - 55 second into the Scottish National anthem. When confirmed it would make it the loudest noise recording at a World Cup tournament game. VG.
— Vinny Grappa (@VincenzoGrappa) June 14, 2026
In the fan zone, the noise was just as ferocious for the anthem. Outwith the game, Scottish fans danced with Haitians before the match, bringing the joy that earns them adoration wherever they go. They've also gone viral after being filmed playing keepie-uppies with a Boston police officer in the fan zone in yet another moment of Tartan Army brilliance.
That magic was on full display the day before the game as Craig Ferguson finished his 3,200-mile trek across America in Boston Common in front of thousands cheering him on. Ferguson, from Paisley, told us at the emotional finish line that it "showed what Scotland was all about."
That sentiment was shared by Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, when I sat down for a pint with him in The Haven bar in the city. Swinney said he was "immensely proud" of Craig and the entire Tartan Army for being "great ambassadors" for the country.
After the First Minister announced that the Scottish Government had pledged £400,000 to Craig's fundraising efforts, which now stand at £ 1.1 million, Reform UK's Malcolm Offord called out the donation and urged Swinney to instead donate the sum from his own pocket.
Swinney told us that he thought Offord was "pretty pathetic" and called the comments "mean-spirited."
The Haven was hosting Scotland's top official as he presented the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal's £5,000 cheque to Project Goal in the 112th donation made in the fan-run charity's lifetime.
The night prior, Swinney was joined by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who both commented on the immediate impact the Tartan Army have had on the host city and state.
Healey joked she was "going to have to put an SOS out to Canada for more alcohol," and Wu added that she "understood that it took a Scot to get rid of the British 251 years ago" after seeing and meeting the Tartan Army.
And it's that historic element that this transatlantic trip for Scotland's national team and fans keeps coming back to.
Some milestones have already been hit: the 28-year wait for an appearance at the tournament is now behind them, and the first win at the World Cup since 1990 and the first opening game win since 1974 are done and dusted.
But what's next? Could the group stage curse that has befallen the team for decades finally be lifted?
The “shot heard around the world” refers to the first fighting between colonial militiamen and British troops near Boston in 1775, which ignited the American Revolutionary War and ultimately led to the creation of the United States.
Super John McGinn's name was sung and heard around the city, if not the world, following last night's game, and the nation will be hoping that it sparks a Tartan revolution that takes them to the round of 32 for the first time. Sitting at the top of Group C, you can't help but feel that belief starting to bubble up to the boil.
And while we'll need to wait until they take on Morocco to see if Steve Clarke's men can rise to the occasion, you have to hope for the sake of the fans who've been through the financial and emotional wringer to get here that the organisers find a way to also step up their game, too.
