With World Cup fever sweeping the country ahead of Scotland's weekend opener against Haiti, one Stirling-born man is being grilled behind enemy lines after moving to one of the planet's biggest footballing meccas.
Eric Armour's Journey to Brazil
Eric Armour moved to the Brazilian mega-city of Sao Paulo 30 years ago to marry wife Ana Silvia after a globe-trotting life which had seen him travel the world with his parents, with his dad part of the Argylls regiment based out of Stirling. From hitting hotspots such as Singapore and Berlin, Eric spent time at the now-mothballed Longannet power station before making the big decision to head to South America for work - where he built the life he holds today.
Despite being thousands of miles from home and building a family life which includes his three sons Mateus, Andrew and Eric - the 67-year-old has been keeping the spirit of his homeland alive as a member of the city's St Andrew's Society which brings together expats and fans of Scottish culture in the city. But the interest in Eric has grown since the football-mad Brazilians - who have won the World Cup five times - were drawn against the Scots in their group for this month's extravaganza, with the two countries set to meet on June 24.
Keeping Scottish Culture Alive
Speaking to the Observer, Eric spoke of his connections to the land of his birth and those efforts to fly the Scottish flag. He said: "I'm a massive football fan and went to the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and then in 1998 [when Brazil and Scotland were also drawn against each other], I found out there was a pub in the city for Scotland fans, it was all sponsored by Diageo and it was there I made my first connections here.
"Most of the people are second or third-generation links to Scotland and it soon led to the set-up of the Society - one of the guys I met was from Wick and we just hit it off; he could play music like I could and it started off the band we now have called The Kilties. We play at an Irish bar in the city called Finnegan's and we are booked in to play before every game at the World Cup, including the Scotland match.
"We recently had carnival here and we were invited to put together a Scottish-themed float and although we applied too late to get some Scottish Government money for it, we ended up getting around 200 people involved with some country dancing, the pipes going and we played some music through the streets. I don't think the streets of Sao Paulo had ever heard the tune to 'Donald, Where's Yer Troosers' before!"
World Cup Buzz and Family
Eric's committed efforts to bring a slice of Scotland to the samba nation has brought him added attention from the country's news crews ahead of the countries' clash. However, Eric's hopes of seeing his Brazilian-born sons turning out on the football pitch for their dad's birthplace didn't quite go to plan.
He continued: "The gig we're doing before the Scotland match will have some national news along, so it makes me feel a little important. Brazilians, as you can imagine, are crazy for football, and if they don't win the cup they take it very personally. But it's a great time, streets are closed for a carnival type fiesta. People take the day off when there is a Brazil game. They will live and breathe football for the next few weeks.
"My three sons were all born here and the plan was for them to grow up here and then play for Scotland! But they got into basketball and gymnastics instead. Eric now lives in Glasgow studying mechanical engineering and Mateus - who did biology - has recently done the Great Glen Way, with my middle son Andrew looking to head out there and go on a wee holiday to Scotland to see them. They really love Scotland and the lives they have there and I'm very proud of that. I'm planning to head over myself to celebrate my mum Shirley Armour, who still lives in Bannockburn, who is turning 90 this year so that will be a real thrill."
