TARTAN ARMY ON THE MARCH

Cologne hosts thousands for pre-match celebration | Fans welcomed with open arms ahead of crunch clash

- RYAN CARROLL

GERMAN football lovers are looking forward to the stunning spectacle of the Tartan Army marching through Cologne prior to Scotland's vital Euro 24 match against Switzerland tomorrow.

Tens of thousands of Scots will head to the Rhein Energy Stadium ahead of the second group-stage fixture in the 50,000-capacity home of FC Köln.

The event agreed between the Association of Tartan Army Clubs and Cologne city officials and police, will see the area around JosefLammerting-Alley closed to traffic five hours before kickoff for fans to gather.

The march will then see supporters led by bagpipes take the party atmosphere out of the city centre to the stadium in the suburb of Müngersdorf.

Germans have hailed the plan after falling in love with the kilted masses.

Throughout the host country, Scottish fans have been greeted by their hosts with cries of "No Schottland, no party".

One German fan, Thomas Kopsieker, reacting to news of the "Schottischer Fanmarsch", posted online: "Somehow, as a German, you suddenly feel like a Scotland fan."

Ursula Tremi replied: "That's how I feel, a very sympathetic and cheerful fan base, I wish the Scots to go far."