As I emerged from Swanys at 4:42am into the daylight this June morning I was wearing a smile and a glazed look.
Turning day into night and back into day is exactly what following Scotland is all about.
I love "No Scotland no party", "super John Mcginn", "we're on our way from misery to happiness today(reverse as appropriate)", "yes sir, I can boogie", the great randomness of all our songs while lurking in the subconscious lingers 'it's the hope that kills you', a sad lament that everyone knows the words for and they play the tune their way.
This morning I didn't have hope I just had smug satisfaction that in the battle of the minnows we had not drawn with Iran, lost to Peru or Costa Rica, Don Masson didn't miss a penalty or Gary McAllister. Nobody to blame but ourselves. As I looked at the houses on blackford hill I rubbed my eyes. Can I believe what I'm seeing. They are so shiny, almost Trumpian Gold. Is it more fake gold those iron pyrites. Maybe it's a sign. I got home and draw a line on the map. Yes Morocco in the distance. Tonight was about our first opening game win in 52 years. Our first win for a long time.
There were no sob stories, just quiet acknowledgement that we had survived, luck had shined on our collective wee nervous selves and won a wee battle. Haiti would be wondering where it all went wrong. The outstretched leg deflecting a scuffed shot will be replayed while the rum stained eyes look forward to a game with Brazil.
It's the world cup and the 2am kick off now seems like a great adventure. Ironically in losing to Haiti I wouldn't have been shocked to see a 1-0 win over Morocco.
I remember when they destroyed us 3-0. They used the ball better, quicker and the pace they played at was like my favourite Monochrome set tracks. Stop start, slow, fast, discombobulated journeys. The Morocco team that day seemed to spring into life and score in 5-10 seconds, then go back to sleep. Leighton seemed very unlucky or crap depending on your point of view. For me Morocco were one of those creatures that wait all day then pounces. Oh yeah, the patient fisherman, those Deerstalkers.
Nowadays Scotland have emerged into that counterattacking team. Concede possession, keep shape, try and disrupt, terrorise the opponents preferred passing lines. Then pounce panther like. Mctominay moves onto great spaces in this environment. He seemed suffocated in his role against Haiti as the out-Scotlanded Scotland.
We will see what happens on Friday and with another win we'll go into the Brazil match just needing a draw to top the group.
Aye, it's the hope that kills you.
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