Euro 2024: Tartan Army head to Munich for Scotland v Germany opener

The Tartan Army are backing their team to do Scotland proud at Euro 2024.

The Scots will kick off the competition against hosts Germany in Munich on Friday night.

The football team were warmly welcomed to the European country last weekend - with midfielder John McGinn joining in the Bavarian-style dancing festivities.

The Tartan Army will be hoping the players show off their best moves on the pitch as they aim to get out of the group stages of a major tournament for the first time.

Scots party in Munich ahead of Euro 2024's opening game against Germany

Steve Clarke's squad - captained by Andy Robertson - are in group A alongside Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.

England also made the competition and are in group C alongside Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. The Three Lions will begin their campaign in Gelsenkirchen against Serbia on Sunday.

First Minister John Swinney joked that it was "great to see Scotland back in Europe where we rightly belong".

He added: "I know the Tartan Army will be an absolute credit to Scotland.

"I know the team will be a credit to Scotland because they have inspired so many of us by their success in getting to Euro 2024."

Tens of thousands of Tartan Army members are expected to travel to Germany for the championships.

Sky News has caught up with some of the fans who have already made the journey via planes, trains and automobiles - with some flying in from the US and others packing up their motorhomes to make the long road trip from the UK.

'The whole of Scotland is right behind them'

Three friends from the Highlands made it to Munich in the "Tartan Banger".

Scott Miller, Terry Stirling and Andy Cameron set off earlier this week in the 16-year-old Volvo S40.

Mechanic Mr Miller, from Brora, paid a "bargain" £400 for the motor last year and has spent months making it roadworthy to handle all the miles to and from Germany.

The car was also given an apt Tartan Army makeover.

Mr Stirling, from Alness, told Sky News he is turning 55 later this year and this is his first trip abroad.

He added: "It's good to get here, but we enjoyed the journey. It was a long trip, but it was good.

"The car held up brilliant. It's just unbelievable how she held up the whole way."

Mr Miller has tickets for the opening game, but Mr Stirling and Mr Cameron will be "fan zoning it".

Mr Stirling believes the Scotland team will give 110%, adding: "And we're proud of them. The whole of Scotland is right behind them.

"The three of us were getting all emotional coming down the road. We were playing our Scottish music and feeling so proud - proud to be Scottish, which we always are."

'Just play for the shirt'

Mike Blain, along with brother John, nephew Finlay and friend Wull, drove non-stop from Dundee to Munich and celebrated their arrival on Thursday morning with a well-earned McDonald's.

The men have converted the back of a works van into their accommodation for the week.

Mr Blain said the Tartan Army movement is special because there's "never any trouble and there's a carnival atmosphere".

Having followed his team across the world for the last 20 years, Mr Blain added: "It's hard to give up.

"Although this will probably be our last tour as we will be too old for the next ones. Young Finlay will have to carry the torch."

Mr Blain and his brother missed out on tickets, so it will be the pub for them.

And when asked if he had any inspirational words for the squad ahead of kick-off, he said: "Just play for the shirt."

'I'm excited to bring my boys to a Euros abroad'

It's a family affair for Lauren Stewart, who has made the trip from Dunfermline, Fife, with her partner and three children alongside her mum and her other-half.

The two motorhomes arrived in Munich on Tuesday despite the journey featuring a breakdown, broken bumper and losing a fifth gear.

The family even picked up a hitchhiker during their travels, which also saw them having to detour to Lille in France as Ms Stewart had forgotten all her make-up.

The group don't have tickets for the Munich game so will be heading to the fan zone. However, they have tickets for the remaining matches in Cologne and Stuttgart.

Ms Stewart said: "We're super excited for the games, and I'm excited to be able to bring my boys to a Euros abroad.

"Scotland haven't been in a foreign tournament since I was their age, so you never know when it will happen again."

'Stick it right intae them'

Scott Allison and son Jack jetted off from Dallas on Wednesday.

Mr Allison, who is originally from Paisley in Renfrewshire but moved to the US in 2013 due to his work with DHL, has tickets for all three games.

He said: "We're super excited to be in Germany."

When asked if he had any words for the Scotland team ahead of their opening match, Mr Allison said: "Stick it right intae them!"

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'Just do us proud'

Mark Dyer and friends set off from Glasgow on Monday morning.

The group of 11 have set up camp in Munich, with a further 15-20 friends dotted around other campsites and hotels in the city.

Mr Dyer said the roads were "pretty clear" during their travels, but added: "We took about six wrong turns along the way."

The group have tickets for all three matches.

Mr Dyer said: "I'm confident they'll qualify and I'm hopeful of some sort of result against Germany. Even a goal will do.

"Just do us proud. That's all we ever ask when we follow them around the world."

'It's going to be epic'

Norman Robb and son Calum used the rail network to travel to Munich via Larbert, Edinburgh, London, Paris and Stuttgart.

Although they don't have tickets for the opening game, the pair plan to meet up with other Tartan Army supporters to enjoy the local celebrations.

The Falkirk duo are optimistic of Scotland's chances, with Mr Robb adding: "It's going to be epic. To the Scotland team, just do us proud."

'Play with the badge on your shirt'

John Dodds set off from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian on Tuesday night alongside his two boys, a family friend and his son.

The group don't have tickets for the games but will be heading to the fan zones for all the festivities.

Mr Dodds said: "To the team, I would like to say play with the badge on your shirt and the rest will come."

'The Tartan Army believe in you'

Meanwhile, the Scotland men's national deaf team are throwing all their support behind their footballing colleagues.

The squad recently took part in their first ever European championships, held in Turkey, but exited at the group stage due to goal difference against Greece.

However, the team did bring home the coveted Fair Play Award.

Joseph Sheridan, secretary of the Scottish Deaf Football Association (SDFA), said: "Some of our Scottish deaf friends are in Munich to witness the opening ceremony.

"They're hoping for a great result so we can all celebrate."

And to the team, Mr Sheridan added: "Cherish this moment, flourish, and wear the Scottish badge with pride.

"We believe in you, the Tartan Army believe in you - so yes sirs, go and boogie like it's your last."