Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has declared that the World Cup has brought a divided country together again, as he praised the national team and the Tartan Army for their performances on and off the pitch.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Sarwar said that ever since the whistle blew to begin Scotland's opening game against Haiti, the entire country has been united behind Steve Clarke and the team. After 28 years of waiting, Scotland was back on the world stage and punching above its weight.
Scotland's World Cup journey
Sarwar described the sight of the team chasing every loose ball, fighting for every challenge, and John McGinn scoring Scotland's first World Cup goal in so long as phenomenal. He added: "Scotland back where we belong."
After the victory against Haiti came defeat to Morocco, but the chance to get out of the group remains. As everyone looks forward to the big match against Brazil on Wednesday, Sarwar reflected on the tournament so far and the boost it has given to the country.
The saltire has flown proudly from cars and windows across the country in unity behind the team. Fans have stayed up into the wee hours to cheer on the players. And politicians that only a month ago were fighting in an election are united in their support for Scotland.
Tartan Army's impact in the US
Sarwar highlighted that the Tartan Army has been doing the country proud in the US. Not many other countries can count their travelling football fans as key ambassadors, but Scotland most certainly can. Boston has been turned into a 24/7 party by the Tartan Army, with locals joining in the fun, even if the pubs ran out of lager.
Everywhere they have gone, the kilts, bagpipes, and songs of the Tartan Army have shown the confident, humorous, and respectful best of the country. In Providence, Rhode Island, Tartan Army members have raised $30,000 for local groups, including a children's hospital, grassroots football classes, and the local pipe band.
Sarwar also praised the team for setting the tone on the pitch and being model professionals and role models off the pitch, from backing the 'Yes Boys' campaign against misogyny and the manosphere culture to John McGinn's iconic 'goggles' celebration in honour of his nephew.
Legacy and future of Scottish football
Whatever happens in the crunch game against Brazil on Wednesday night, Sarwar said the whole country can be proud of the team and the Tartan Army. The legacy of this tournament will be seen in the impact it has at home. It has already brought the country together, but Sarwar is sure it will also act as a catalyst to get more young boys and girls involved in playing the beautiful game.
"It's by supporting the next generation and investing in sport that we can make sure that Scotland has many more World Cups to look forward to. The next John McGinn, Andy Robertson or Scott McTominay is out there - we just need to make sure they get the opportunities and support they need to flourish," Sarwar wrote.
He concluded: "No matter what happens on the pitch on Wednesday night, Steve Clarke and the boys have written their name in the history books. Let's all get behind the team and cheer them on to victory."
Andy Burnham's by-election victory
In a separate section of his column, Sarwar addressed the by-election victory of Andy Burnham in Makerfield. He said that on Thursday evening, the people of Makerfield sent a message to the country: they reject the politics of division and hate peddled by Reform and Restore and choose a fairer future.
Andy Burnham and the Labour team pulled off a fantastic victory, winning well over a half of the vote and increasing Labour's majority. Sarwar described Burnham as a transformative Mayor of Greater Manchester and said he will be a huge asset to the party and the country on his return to the House of Commons.
Above all, Sarwar argued that what Andy Burnham brings to parliament is a clear message: Reform can be beaten and beaten well. For too long, Nigel Farage and his gang of ex-Tories and grifters have been acting like they are destined to form the next government. But what Andy showed is that there is a way to beat the division of Reform.
"We do this through the politics of hope - of standing up for working people, of taking the lies that Reform spread head-on and exposing them for the dangerous charlatans they are. The people of Scotland and all the United Kingdom deserve better than Reform's poison. That's why we must all learn from Andy Burnham's victory and work together to send these liars and snake-oil salesmen packing," Sarwar wrote.
Glasgow-Boston twinning agreement
Sarwar also noted that it is a testament to the Tartan Army that one trip to Boston has led to a new twinning agreement with Glasgow. Built on the enthusiasm of Scottish football fans and the warm welcome of the local community, this agreement is a great opportunity to strengthen the links between two world-class cities and bring investment to both.
