Scotland legends Charlie Nicholas, Graeme Souness, and Gordon Strachan have poked fun at the England team by pledging their allegiance to Norway ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash. In a hilarious Paddy Power advert, the trio declared "kom igjen!" meaning "come on Norway!" as Thomas Tuchel's side prepares to take on Ståle Solbakken's men tomorrow.
World Cup Quarter-Final Build-Up
The match, set for the Miami Stadium with a 10pm UK kick-off, will determine who secures a semi-final spot. The imminent clash has sparked comedic antics from the former Scotland internationals, who donned traditional Norwegian dress, Viking helmets, and blonde plaited wigs while eating rakfisk—a Norwegian delicacy of fermented trout—and performing The Viking Row.
Ad Goes Viral
The clip, viewed over one million times in just a few hours, features Souness cheekily telling the interviewer: "It's been a long journey for us Norwegian fans. We haven't been to a World Cup since 1998 and honestly, I wondered if we'd ever get back again. But we're here! We're in the quarter finals and I've never been more proud of my country."
Nicholas chimes in: "People think we only have Erling Haaland but they're so wrong." When asked who else Norway has, the ex-Celtic striker panics and replies sheepishly: "I don't know..." The interviewer then asks: "Charlie, weren't you Mexican the other day?" to which he replies: "Not me, pal! People have been sleeping on Norway for too long—not anymore. The Vikings are on the march."
Previous Stunt Against England
Strachan ends the patriotic declarations: "We're not just here to make up the numbers. Don't know who we're playing next, but they're in for a hell of a battle!" Nicholas then blows the bukkehorn, Norway's iconic horn instrument, before repeating "kom igjen!"
This is not the first time the sportsmen have taken a swipe at England. Before England's 3-2 win over Mexico in the last-16 tie on Monday, the three wore Mexican attire, claiming to be part of a growing Mexican community in Scotland.
Scotland's World Cup Exit
Scotland's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment. They won 1-0 against Haiti before losing 1-0 to Morocco in their opening two games in Boston. In Miami, they lost 3-0 to Carlo Ancelotti's side. A string of results from other teams bumped Scotland down the table, eventually costing them a chance to qualify. The sad end to the nation's first World Cup in 28 years was followed by Steve Clarke's resignation after seven years as manager, making him Scotland's longest-serving manager.
