North-west Sutherland pupils make epic trip to Glasgow to cheer on national team in Euro qualifier
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Pupils from the North West Sutherland Schools Group made the long journey down to Glasgow on Tuesday to support the National Team in their Euro 2024 qualifying game against Georgia, writes Heather Paterson, principal teacher health and wellbeing.
Spirits were high after Scotland’s last gasp win against Norway a few days before and pupils and staff were hopeful the winning streak of games would continue.
Arriving early, we got to soak up the atmosphere outside the stadium and enjoy the music provided at the pilot Fan Zone while we ate some dinner in the sun.
Shortly before going into the stadium to find our seats the heavens opened and as we waited for the game to start we could see how water-logged the pitch was getting.
We were delighted when Scotland scored in the first six minutes but feared the worst when the referee stopped the game a few minutes later.
We then sat in our seats for more than two hours while we waited for the rain to stop and the Hampden ground staff to work their magic and make the pitch playable enough for the referee to allow the game to continue, despite the Georgia players seeming a bit reluctant to carry on!
Our pupils, staff and the whole stadium thoroughly enjoyed the music played during the delay though, and it helped to keep our hopes high that the game wouldn’t be called off and we’d have to go back up the A9 without seeing the game finished.
Thankfully the match eventually re-started and the Scotland team finished what they started, with another goal just minutes into the second half, winning it 2-0 to give us 12 points out of 12 and sitting at the top of the group!
By the time the game was over we’d been in the stadium for more than four hours. Pupils and staff were exhausted after our long journey to Glasgow and the huge delay in the game, but along with 50,000 others we stayed until the end to cheer on the team who have been fantastic throughout these games.
We eventually got back on the road north around midnight and with a quick fuel and snack stop, got home at 6am –two hours later than usual.
Thankfully our head teacher Graeme Smart allowed us to have a later start than usual due to the circumstances and everyone was back in school later that day.
We’re now looking forward to the friendly against England in September and our final home game against Norway in November.
