We followed Scotland to France 98

When Scotland’s men last qualified for the World Cup in 1998, Believe by Cher was the best-selling song of the year, Tony Blair was England’s prime minister and a pint of milk cost around 34p.

Tens of thousands of Scots traveled across the Channel by plane, train and car to support Craig Brown’s team.

Now, 27 years later, the Tartan Army foot soldiers are telling their story ahead of a crucial match against Denmark in which Scotland could end the long wait and qualify for next year’s finals.

Perthshire’s Ian Stephen was 28 when he took a road trip to Paris with four friends to watch Scotland play in the tournament’s opening match against Brazil on 10 June 1998.

He sold his car and bought a 1979 VW campervan to cross the Channel.

“The guys piled into the van and there were flags and stickers on the side. “We got on the ferry to France and had an absolute blast.

“It was just fans of all nationalities coming together and having a great time,” he said.

The group managed to travel around France by minibus to all three matches in Scotland; but it wasn’t without a broken clutch cable and a faulty spark plug along the way.

In an effort to keep the trip under budget, they paid the mechanics with wine rather than cash.

Falkirk’s Henry Hepburn was among those who traveled to Paris for the opening match against Brazil.

He took his final exam at the University of Glasgow, which ironically was a French speaking test, on the day the World Cup was due to start.

Henry, then 23, persuaded university lecturers to give him the first available appointment that morning to take the exam.

He then rushed to the airport to catch his flight to Paris, where he planned to watch the match with other fans who were not lucky enough to get tickets to the match.

The grand opening was the only Scotland game he didn’t have a ticket for, so he headed to the fans’ area at Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to watch the action on the big screen. He got there just in time.

“I had a friend waiting outside to go to the airport and literally at the moment Scotland were awarded a penalty we arrived at the big square in the center of Paris.

“It was amazing to see that moment, everything went crazy,” he said.

John Collins’ penalty shot to level the score at 1-1 against Brazil gave the fans belief that an upset could be in store against the World Cup champions.

Henry, who says he didn’t have the “luxury” of a caravan during his stay, traveled around France, even sleeping in someone’s backyard in Bordeaux, because hotel rooms were hard to come by and kind locals offered their outdoor sites to campers.

Being in France was one thing, but getting tickets to Scotland’s opening match was like “gold dust”, according to Stirling’s Kevyn Whitelaw.

He was also 23 when he had the chance to enter the Stade de France in Saint Denis for that match.

Kevyn went to all of Scotland’s matches in France ’98, but the first game where his dad Graham was able to join him was special.

Despite Scotland’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil, that day holds only positive memories for him.

“My dad and I were lucky enough to get tickets on the ballot where we used to have to write in and apply for a ticket,” Kevyn said.

His father, Graham, called from work to go to the match with his son because he was sick and chose to disguise himself in case he was caught by television cameras during the match.

The memory of his father in sunglasses, plaid hat and wig still makes 51-year-old Kevyn smile.

Looking back, he says the biggest shock was the cost of the matchday ticket.

“A category four ticket for the section with most Scottish fans was £22 plus postage of £4.

“Just the idea of ​​going to the opening match of the World Cup for £26… It was incredible when you think about it.”

Eventually Scotland exited the group stages of the 1998 tournament after two defeats and a draw.

The men’s team has since failed to qualify for the tournament.

Kevin Donnelly, a loyal Tartan Army infantryman from Edinburgh, remembers a time when Scotland competed regularly on the world stage.

Over the years he followed the team to four World Cups and four Euros.

The 64-year-old is not willing to reveal how much he has spent as a traveling supporter over the years but said he would “absolutely” travel to North America if Scotland qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

His memories of France include meeting singer Rod Stewart in Bordeaux. He then went to the Sports Club in Monaco after the World Cup to collect an award on behalf of the Tartan Army.

He appreciated the good behavior of the Scotland fans who followed their team to France.

Kevin is “optimistic” Scotland will qualify for the World Cup next year.

Steve Clarke’s side need to beat Denmark to qualify automatically for the tournament and avoid the play-offs.

Kevin said: “We are in a much better position than we expected at the start of the qualifiers.

“If you had offered us this position from the beginning, we would have bitten your hand. We still control our own destiny and do not rely on other outcomes.”

He said that for some of the squad, this was the last chance to qualify for the World Cup and the team should seize the opportunity.

“When it comes to football, sometimes you think we are a nation of dreamers. Let’s dare to dream.”

Scotland will face Denmark in Hampden on Tuesday 12 November at 19:45.

You can watch Scotland v Denmark on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and iPlayer from 19:15 GMT..