Convoy leaves Scotland as fans set sail for Euros – they’re convinced we’ll win

THE Tartan Army turned the Hull Ferry into a party boat – as Scotland fans set sail for Germany tonight.

Supporters were out in force onboard P&O’s Pride of Rotterdam for an overnight crossing to the continent.

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And the troops were in full voice as they joined our mascot Sunny for a sing-a-long of the fans’ anthem, No Scotland, No Party as the ship set sail.

Student Ellie Ross, 20, from Glasgow said: “The atmosphere is incredible and we all can’t wait for kick-off.”

While painter and decorator Keith Thomson from Newtongrange, Midlothian, was taking his 10-year-old son Ryan on his first Tartan Army tour.

Keith, 46, said: “There are no fans better than Scotland fans.”

Willie Rae, 60, from Falkirk, told how he spent 20 hours over two days having two Scotland emblems tattooed on his calves when we qualified for Euro 2024.

The crafty dad-of-four said: “I told my wife Lorna that I had to go to the Euros after having the tatts done.”

He was joined by brother-in-law Alan Thomson, 55, along with pals Paul Cowie, 36, and Adam Livingstone, 32, from Tain, Ross-shire.

Roofer Adam said: “We don’t have tickets but I’ve converted my work’s van into a campervan with a projector on the roof so we can all watch the games live.”

German fans Johannes Wegenaer, 39, and Christoph Seibt, 42, from Oberhausen, looked on bemused as the Tartan Army burst into full voice.

And they predicted we will still be singing come Friday. Johannes said: “I think it will end 1-1.”

Earlier, Scotland fans gave Sunny his own Hampden roar – as our mascot set off for Munich.

The Scottish Sun’s intrepid paperboy was greeted by supporters at the National Stadium before setting off for the continent.

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Even SFA president Mike Mulraney, 55, posed for a pic with Sunny, wishing him a “safe journey” to Munich ahead of the Euro 2024 opening match against Germany on Friday night.

While Thomas Young, 71, a former Hampden groundsman from Eastwood, turned up at Hampden for the big send-off – and to celebrate his wife Janet’s 70th birthday.

The pair are planning to jet off to Germany later this week and cheer on Scotland in the opening game – flying via Dublin and Stuttgart before finally getting a train to Munich.

Janet said: “I’m 70 years old today and seeing Sunny today was the best birthday present.”

Thomas added: “I have followed Scotland all my days.

“I worked here at Hampden Park and the first team I followed as the Scotland national team. I’ve also been to Wembley against the auld enemy.

“We saw the convoy call in the paper last week and thought it’s a good start on my wife’s birthday.

 “If we can get a result against Germany, I think we’ll have a very good chance, even if it’s a draw.

 “I think we can beat the Hungarians and the Swiss. I really think we can.”

HR worker Lisa Miller, 45, from the Gorbals, Glasgow, says: “I came to get a picture with Sunny as it’s getting really exciting now before the kick-off.

“I’m really optimistic we can get a result on Friday. Even a draw would be great.”

Chelsea Graham, 34, from Kirriemuir, Angus, 34, from The Scottish Qualifications Authority had been marking exam papers inside Hampden when she spotted our red-headed ambassador.

She said: “This is the last day of marking papers, so now I can concentrate on the football. Come on Scotland!”

Another SQA worker Susan Menary, 45, from The Shetland Isles, reveals how her husband Eamonn, 54, and their 14-year-old son Euan, will also undertake an epic journey to get to Munich.

She says: “They’re getting the ferry from Kirkwall, driving to Manchester then flying to Germany. But they can’t wait as they know it will be worth if when we get a result on Friday.”

While fellow exam marker Corrinne Murray, 45, from West Calder, West Lothian said: “Nothing gets you more excited for a Scotland game than working in the home of Scottish Football all week. I’m so looking forward to kick-off.”

Adriana Klapwijk, 45, also with the SQA will be supporting Scotland despite being from Australia.

She said: “This is my home now and Scotland are the only team for me. I’m sure they can beat Germany.”

And Ashleigh McCluskey, 35, a mum of two and school teacher from Motherwell, was also at Hampden.

The group couldn’t get enough of mascot Sunny as they posed for selfies outside Scotland’s national stadium.

Ashleigh, a teacher at Lesmahagow High School, said: “Scotland are going to win – 100 per cent.

“I think the score in the opening game is going to be 3:1 to Scotland. That’s my prediction.

“I’ll probably watch it at home with my kids.

“I am also getting my school kids excited about it. We’re getting our lessons mixed in to go with the Euros, especially with Geography.
 “We’re doing a lot of Scotland and Euro-themed tasks and the kids are getting excited about it as well.”

And Abby McKay, 30, from Glasgow, who works in Hampden’s HR department, predicts Sunny will be a hit on the continent.

She said: “I think the Tartan Army will love meeting Sunny.

“But everyone is so excited about the game. There really has been a buzz about the place.”

Our Scottish Sun team is travelling in an environmentally friendly way too, in the all-electric BYD Seal – who are an official partner of UEFA Euro 2024 Germany.

German-born reporter Oliver Norton and Scotland fan feature writer Matt Bendoris will be travelling with Sunny along with the 200,000 strong Tartan Army.

And along the way we met David Dunlop, 53, from Paisley who was travelling with his 12-year-old son Carrick in their campervan.

The sales manager said: “This will be my son’s first tournament and it doesn’t get better than going to Germany to watch Scotland kick-off the Euros.”

They’ll be based in Cologne with pals Stevie Cunningham, 59, and Ian Murray, 53, from Renfrew, who were travelling in their own campervan – as part of the Tartan Army Piper group.

Carer Ian said: “We are out there for two weeks – but hopefully the team will be there longer.”

Tomorrow Sunny and the team will be leaving Rotterdam for Cologne.