Alex Salmond to be honoured with minute’s applause before Nations League

THOUSANDS of Scotland fans will pay a roaring tribute to Alex Salmond with an official minute’s applause inside Hampden Park tomorrow night, we can reveal.

Ahead of their crunch Nations League test against Portugal, the Tartan Army are expected to honour the football-loving former FM following his shock death aged just 69.

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And, as work continues tonight to bring the ex-SNP leader’s body home, editor of the Famous Tartan Army Magazine Iain Emerson said: “It will be rousing inside Hampden. It will be very emotional.”

News of his death stunned Scottish football supporters after it was announced live on air to thousands of fans watching Saturday night’s match against Croatia.

Ex-Hearts and Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart told those tuned in of the “devastating” news as he paused to pay his respects midway through commentary.

Now, we can reveal plans are in place by the SFA to hold a minute’s applause in tribute to the former FM before tomorrow evening’s match.

It comes after a similar applause was arranged following the death of the Queen in September 2022.

Mr Emerson said: “It was a massive shock and a massive loss for the country. He was a massive football fan and a member of the Tartan Army.

“No matter what your political views or thoughts on independence are, everyone knows he always tried to do what he thought was best for the country.

“Many fans mixed with him and he joined in all the fun. He was always up for a good sing song and a party.

“I met him quite a few times, he was absolutely brilliant with us. When he was First Minister he wrote a column for the Famous Tartan Army Magazine.

“He was so enthusiastic. He liked a good time but also backed the team.

“He was a big fan of the Tartan Army and always spoke highly of how well behaved they were. I know he was proud of that.”

Stuart Murphy, chief exec of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, added: “As an organisation we pride ourselves on being ‘apolitical’.

“However, on this occasion, I feel it appropriate to mark the passing of this great patriot.

“Alex was a real Scotland fan long before he became politically active and continued to be a real friend to our national game throughout his career from the grass roots upwards. RIP Alex.”

And Hamish Husband, spokesperson for the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, added: “Scotland fans are of all persuasions. 99 per cent of Scotland fans honoured the minute’s silence for the Queen, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for Alex Salmond.

“He was a giant of Scotland’s post-war history and recent past. He was also a football fan and a big Hearts fan.

“He went to Cyprus last year and was on our supporters bus.”

Mr Salmond was a regular follower of Steve Clarke’s men, even flying out to Munich for the Euro 2024 opener against Germany in June.

He was pictured mixing with hoards of fans in the city’s packed Marienplatz square, donning a Scotland top and scarf.

The ex-FM made headlines at the time after blasting British Airways for losing his “lucky John McGinn” strip when his luggage failed to turn up.

He joked: “Everything else replaceable but Scotland are unbeaten when I’ve had that top on.”