Scotland legends Charlie Nicholas, Graeme Souness, and Gordon Strachan have poked fun at the England team by pledging their allegiance to Mexico ahead of the World Cup last-16 tie. In a hilarious Paddy Power advert, the trio declared "Vamos Mexico!" as they aimed jibes at Harry Kane and his teammates before their match against Javier Aguirre's side.
Ad Features Mexican Costumes and Jibes
The video, released by the popular sports betting site, shows the former Scotland internationals donning sombreros, ponchos, Mariachi Band outfits, and Nacho Libre costumes. They claim to be part of a growing Mexican community in Scotland. The ad includes a scene where they beat a '66 piñata—a reference to England's 1966 World Cup win—and sip margaritas.
Ex-Rangers icon Graeme Souness cheekily tells the interviewer: "We Mexico fans are laid back but we still have a ferocious will to win, something our next opponents are going to experience first hand, whoever that may be." Nicholas adds: "Being a Los Azteca is all about passion. We may not always win but we will fight to the end. The atmosphere, the intensity, the altitude - I'm telling you, we're a match for anyone on our own patch."
Strachan's Mariachi Band Debut
Gordon Strachan appears in a full Mariachi Band suit, musing: "I was in my first Mariachi Band when I was probably 69 years old. It feels like yesterday," to which the interviewer states: "You were 69 yesterday, Gordon." The former Celtic manager then launches into 'The Flower of Mexico'—a twist on the Scottish national anthem.
When the interviewer suggests they are just pretending to be Mexico fans because they want them to beat the English, Nicholas erupts: "Ridiculoso!" Souness sums up: "Look, I don't know who's playing the next game. England? Never heard of them. But they're in for a hell of a ride. They'll face the full might of El Tri," to which they all declare: "Vamos Mexico!"
Scotland's World Cup Journey
The ad comes after around 50,000 Scotland fans traveled to Boston for the national team's opening two games against Haiti on June 13 and Morocco on June 19, which ended in a 1-0 victory and a 1-0 defeat, respectively. Thousands then made their way to Miami, but Scotland lost 3-0 to Carlo Ancelotti's side. A string of results from teams including Croatia, Iran, and Ecuador bumped Scotland further down the table, and they eventually lost their chance to qualify. The sad end to the nation's first World Cup in 28 years was further compounded by Steve Clarke's resignation.
