Football supporters in Scotland are well accustomed to enjoying a pre-match pint, and it appears that Hiroshi Suzuki, the Japanese ambassador to the United Kingdom, is no exception to this tradition.
Ambassador Suzuki's Glasgow Visit
The 64-year-old diplomat was in Glasgow on Wednesday evening to support Celtic Football Club and its Japanese stars, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, as they secured a 2-1 victory against Livingston. Ambassador Suzuki fully embraced the local culture, sharing his experience on social media in a post that has been viewed over 365,000 times.
Embracing Scots Language and Customs
In his post, Mr Suzuki humorously adopted the Scots tongue, telling his followers he was 'having a wee swally' before giving a thumbs-up. He was photographed enjoying a pint of Tennent's Lager, highlighting his immersion into Scottish matchday rituals.
The ambassador, known for his quirky and engaging online documentation of his travels, was in Scotland's largest city as part of his broader tour across the UK. He expressed his excitement on X, formerly known as Twitter, to his 170,500 followers, writing: 'Excited to be @CelticFC!! Go Daizen! Go Reo! Truly ‘a club like no other’.'
Signature Paddington Bear and Stadium Tour
During his visit to Parkhead, Celtic's iconic stadium, Ambassador Suzuki posted images showcasing his signature Paddington Bear toy. He was pictured with the bear in front of the Jock Stein statue outside the ground and in the stands holding a Celtic banner, further endearing himself to fans and followers alike.
This trip follows his previous visit to Scotland last year, when he travelled to Edinburgh and sampled Irn-Bru, the famous Scottish soft drink, which he described as 'just great'. His consistent engagement with local customs and products underscores his approachable and culturally curious diplomatic style.
Ambassador Suzuki's actions not only celebrate the cultural exchange between Japan and Scotland but also highlight the global appeal of football, bringing together diplomacy and sport in a unique and memorable way.
