Scotland is “utterly rejoicing” after the country qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time since 1998, First Minister John Swinney has said.
The team sealed their place at next summer’s tournament with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday night.
Fans including tennis champion Sir Andy Murray and Hollywood star James McAvoy shared their elation after the country qualified for the World Cup finals which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Speaking at the Institute for Government in London on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told of the “overwhelming excitement of last night”.
The SNP leader, who was at the game, said: “Scotland is utterly rejoicing today at what was a magnificent spectacle of goal scoring last night.”
Mr Swinney said even when he had been at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station at about 5.30am to travel to the UK’s capital, passers-by had wanted to talk to him about their “excitement” at Scotland‘s victory.
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Sir Keir Starmer congratulated the team during Prime Minister’s Questions.
“They qualified with fantastic goals, including a cracker from former Arsenal player Kieran Tierney, who was always a great favourite with the fans,” the prime minister said.
Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay scored the first goal early in the game with a spectacular overhead kick before the Danes equalised.
Substitute Lawrence Shankland, a striker for Hearts, then restored Scotland’s lead in the 78th minute following a corner, only for the Danes to equalise again.
In added time, Celtic’s Kieran Tierney scored a strike from 25 yards while Norwich City’s Kenny McLean rounded off the win with a goal scored from the halfway line.
Scotland topped group C – ending a 28-year wait to play in the World Cup finals.
Former Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray was awestruck at McTominay’s opener, posting on X: “McTominay you wee dancer!”
After the team’s win, Sir Andy added: “Yessssssssssssssssssss! Never in doubt Scotland. North America here we come.”
Actor James McAvoy, who grew up in Drumchapel in Glasgow, also celebrated the win on Instagram.
In a video, he said: “Never a penalty. Always four goals.”
Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised the Tartan Army for their support during the match.
He said: “The crowd were fantastic. I asked them before the game, but they don’t always listen to me. But this time they listened and they were great.”
Clarke added: “Obviously, we gave them a great start with Scott McTominay’s goal, that got them excited, got them engaged in the game.
“But even when the penalty went in immediately, the crowd were behind us again.
“When it goes 2-1, they are right behind us. When it goes 2-2, I heard them again and that was really important, right in the last part of the game the crowd was still with us.
“Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Ross raised an urgent question in Holyrood on Wednesday on the win.
He later said: “I was delighted to get the opportunity in parliament to celebrate the fantastic achievement of Steve Clarke and the squad, ending nearly three decades of hurt for the Tartan Army.
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“The whole country has come together to join in such a magnificent moment, with many still pinching themselves that the waiting is finally over.
“This team will be inspiring young boys and girls across Scotland and we must not miss the opportunity to capture the enthusiasm sweeping the nation.”
Mr Ross urged the Scottish government to support grassroots football and work with local councils to help deliver flexibility around licensing laws.
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He added: “Depending on the kick-off times, the Tartan Army should have the chance to celebrate here and in turn deliver a huge boost for Scotland’s struggling pubs.
“Scotland’s qualification has shown how sport can bring the country together and like everyone else I am excited to see who we draw and for the World Cup to begin next June.”
While the last time the country qualified for the finals was in 1998, they enjoyed a run of five consecutive qualifications between 1974 and 1990.
England have also qualified for next summer’s tournament, while the fates of Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will depend on the play-offs.
