THE European Championship in Germany in June is the right tournament in the right place at the right time for Scotland's football team - so say the fans.
Better the Euros rather than the World Cup - let's be realistic, Scotland would stand little chance against the likes of Brazil and Argentina - and ideal that the tournament is in Germany, an easy-to-reach country with excellent stadiums and fast, efficient public transport.
And the team? Many would agree the current Scotland squad is the best we've seen in generations, bound by an enduring team spirit and featuring genuine top-class players, many of whom hold their own against English Premier League talent every week.
All of which adds up to possibly the best chance the Scotland squad has of getting past the tournament group stages for the first time in its history.
We asked some members of the Tartan Army to share their memories of being a Scotland fan, and to look ahead to Germany...
A SPECIAL SPIRIT
Eoin Garvey is 24 and from Lochgelly, Fife. He has followed Scotland since primary school, going to games with his grandfather to begin with and then with friends.
"I think we've got a really good chance of getting out of the group this time," he says. "We have some great players - my favourite at the moment is Kieran Tierney and there's a real team spirit.
"Being in the Tartan Army isn't just about the football, though - the match only lasts 90 minutes. It's about seeing new places and meeting new people. I've travelled to about 22 different countries following Scotland, and have loved every minute." Cailin Roy is 26 and has also followed the team since she was very young.
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The Bliss Of A Bothy
After a strenuous walk, a mountain shelter can offer all you need
The Long Way Round
When you can only just see the stepping stones under a river in spate, it's time to re-think the route, as two Highland adventurers found out
The New Oyster Cult
A community is helping to restore the once rich biodiversity of Loch Craignish, one species at a time
A Poet's Sanctuary
Hidden on a hilltop, writer Dominic Cooper is inspired by the wild, stormy winters of the Ardnamurchan peninsula
A Rural Housing Crisis
Across Scotland, locals are being priced out and crowded out - but communities are now working hard to address the issue
A Historic Centre
Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity
A Bird With A Brain
Jim's encounters with the raven in several northern countries have only increased his respect for its intellect and ingenuity
The Warrior King
On the 750th anniversary of his birth, Robert The Bruce's legacy as cultural keystone and historical enigma continues to fascinate
All Going Swimmingly
From Tutti Frutti to Shetland, Monarch Of The Glen to Granite Harbour, Dawn Steele's heart will always be in Scotland - and the sea
Following The Coos
The latest charity art trail aims to a-moos-e and delight visitors to Perth and Kinross this summer
