Scotland fans have arrived in Boston and express confidence that the national team is the best prepared it has been in years as Steve Clarke's side prepare to face Haiti this weekend in the World Cup.
On Thursday, diehard supporters of the Tartan Army gathered at the Scottish pub The Haven, where they celebrated the tournament's start with imported Tennent's lager and bagpipe music. They also enjoyed the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
Many fans arrived in the days leading up to the World Cup, with some planning to attend all three of Scotland's group stage matches. Others came simply to soak up the atmosphere in and around Boston's fan zones.
Among those present were brothers Peter and Sean Reilly, who traveled specifically for the Haiti match this weekend. Peter, a retiree who arrived on Wednesday, told the Press Association: "It's amazing to be here. We were at the Morocco game in 1998, so it's great to be back in the World Cup again."
He added: "There's been the feeling that Scotland are on the rise and that possibly this is the best prepared we've been in many recent years."
Peter, a sales and marketing worker who landed on Monday, said: "There's a sense of anticipation, there's still two days to go until the game, but everybody is quite excited, and we're building that excitement. I think the tournament is arriving at a good time for us. Most of the players, apart from Billy Gilmour, are majorly fit, even though some have had injuries this season. I'm feeling confident."
