A Scots blogger has shared a heartbreaking story ahead of Scotland's clash with the Czech Republic today - the country's first major tournament in 23 years.
Gordon Sheach, the man behind The Tartan Scarf page, has reminded us that the seats at Hampden won't be empty today, but will be filled with absent friends.
Ahead of the 2pm kickoff, many will be remembering lost loved ones whose dream was to watch Scotland in a major tournament but sadly didn't make it.
Gordon shared a personal story on his Twitter page of Tartan Army fan Jason Gold who sadly died of cancer in 2018 aged just 29.
Jason, from Ardrossan, was "loved by everyone he met".
Gordon wrote: "I met Jason in Trafalgar Square in 2013 before Scotland's friendly with England. I was on the plinth of Nelson's Column and helped pull him up. He was working in London at the time and, with no Scottish friends in London, had turned up alone.
"He was the kind of guy you got on with instantly. Within a few minutes it was as if we'd known each other for years. We stayed in touch after that day and enjoyed Tartan Army trips to Germany, Ireland, Slovakia and another trip to Wembley.
"The thing you need to know about Jason is he was the life and soul of every party. He never saw an empty dance floor he couldn't fill - physically or with his presence. Here, in Dusseldorf we persuaded this woman to join us for a boogie.
"He had a kind, generous spirit.
"In 2017 Jason was diagnosed with cancer. In 2018 he lost his fight. Our lifelong dream was to watch Scotland at a Major Finals. It breaks my heart that tomorrow, I will achieve that without him."
Gordon told the Record that while the story was sad "it's been 23 years, everyone in Scotland will have lost someone who would have really loved today".
The post has been retweeted over 1,000 times and the comments flooded in from Scots who felt the same.
One said: "That brought a tear to my eyes. Lost my dad to vascular dementia a few weeks ago. Watching Scotland play without him will be difficult but I will sing even louder for him."
Another added: "What a beautiful but sad story. Those that have been going to matches during all of those 23 years will know fans that are no longer with us. I'll be thinking of the ones I knew tomorrow."
One reply read: "My dad passed in 2016. I was 9 the last time Scotland was in a major tournament. We talked my whole life about the Tartan army and the games. I will be watching from Canada tomorrow morning thinking about my dad not being here to finally watch a game with me as an adult in a pub."
The post on The Tartan Scarf added: "While Hampden will be at 25% capacity, it will be full of those who are no longer with us.
"When Flower of Scotland plays, let's remember them. Our absent friends."
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