Scotland the Brave
School kids got off early to go watch the opening match against Brazil, club allegiances were put aside, political differences are forgotten and a real feeling of togetherness filled the country. That is exactly how international football should be.
Unfortunately for too long in Scotland now it's been an us and them. Rangers fans have been vilified at every turn by our opponents, the club has been kicked and kicked repeatedly by opposition clubs and fans alike in an attempt to discredit our fantastic club and support. I won't even go into the political side of things, it's there for everyone to see but I think for the most part politics should be kept out of football so long as politics keeps itself out of football, which unfortunately it doesn't always do.
Owing to these issues many Rangers fans have felt a massive disconnect with their national team over the last decade, or longer, and unfortunately that has led to Scotland games being used as another way to view rivalries between Rangers and the other clubs within Scotland.
The Tartan Army is mainly fans from rival clubs who enjoy booing Rangers players when they play for, or against, Scotland. Rangers fans have reported feeling uncomfortable at Scotland games when anti-Rangers songs are being sung by the home support. All in it paints an unfortunate picture for a fan base who no longer feel they can support their national team.
That being said, there are still a large number of Rangers fans determined to not lose their national team, and if anything this tournament, while unsuccessful, should serve as a reminder that supporting Scotland provides that opportunity to unite under the banner of your country.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to support your country. It doesn't mean you suddenly agree with how the SFA are run, or that you support independence, or that you hate Rangers. It means that you support your country, nothing more, nothing less. It's important to remember that it is your country too, and nobody can take that away from you.
On the surface, Euro 2020 has been a bit of a failure for the Scottish National team. Failing to qualify for the knockouts, again, in a tournament where 3 teams can qualify from a group of 4. Two games at home, 2 defeats, 1 goal scored and 5 conceded. Even a glorious (tongue in cheek) nil-nil with England can't paper over those cracks. However, if you dig a little deeper it's not all doom and gloom.
Scotland may have had a limited Rangers connection at this tournament, but going forward that looks likely to swing in a different direction.
Billy Gilmour, former Rangers youth player, and current Chelsea midfielder played against England and was the star of the match. The young midfielder looks to have an extremely bright future and whoever comes in to replace Steve Clarke (who will surely be thanked for his service after the tournament is finished) will have himself the centerpiece to build his future Scotland team around.
Nathan Patterson was included in the squad and came on for the final few minutes of the game against Croatia, and for what little time he had he did not look out of place on the pitch. As Rangers fans, we've already seen what he can do and the young man is trending to have a very bright future in the Scotland team. The biggest compliment that can be paid to him is that even my friends who are fans of that lot across the city were calling for him to be in the starting line-up. He provides an attacking option that O'Donnell simply can't.
Jon McLaughlin was also part of the squad but unfortunately didn't get a game. Personally, I believe he's a better goalkeeper than Marshall, but Steve Clarke doesn't see it that way. Arguments can be made he didn't start enough games but you only have to look to the Wales squad where Danny Ward only played 5 games this season but has been very good for Wales in the tournament. Perhaps the incoming manager, or Steve Clarke if he's somehow kept on, will reflect on this and look to McLaughlin going forward.
It's not however just the current players in the squad, Ryan Jack will soon be fit again and pushing for a place in future Scotland squads and if you look to the Scotland U-21 squad it is littered with current or ex-Rangers plays like Kinnear, McPake, Mayo, Middleton, and Rudden as well as having the McCrorie twins knocking on the door.
It's exciting to see so many Rangers connections linked in with their national team and to know they could one day represent their country in a major international tournament. Not one amongst us won't have been delighted for Patterson when he came on, even if it was a fleeting cameo in campaign that was already dead.
The Scottish national team has always had a good connection with Rangers players, and for one reason or another that hasn't been the case lately but it certainly is on the way back and with this swing comes a new revived reason for Rangers fans to feel a connection with their national team once more.
That's not to say you have to support the national team, if you feel that relationship has been damaged beyond repair and you can't bring yourself to support them anymore then that is also OK, but wouldn't it be great to see the nation united again, even if it is just for 90mins every few months.
I'm not Scottish, but I will secretly give Scotland my support again going forward... so long as they're not playing my home country that is.
The Rambling Ger
Twitter - @GerRambling
IG - TheRamblingGer
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