Scotland to be given extra bank holiday to celebrate World Cup return

The Tartan Army qualified for the first time in over 20 years

Steve Clarke's side secured their spot at the tournament in dramatic style last year, beating Denmark 4-2 on the final day of their qualifying campaign, to leapfrog their rivals into 1st place in the group.

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The win made sure that Scotland would appear in the World Cup draw for the first time since the 1998 edition, a tournament eventually won by a France side that featured a 20-year-old Thierry Henry!

The Tartan Army have been drawn against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil, for the group stage of the North American tournament, set to commence next June. And it is on the day following Scotland's opening match against Haiti, that looks set to be turned into an extra bank holiday.

Scotland face Haiti in Boston at 2am on the 14th of June, and the nation's First Minister John Swinney has proposed that there should be a public holiday on the 15th.

This will only be officially confirmed after it passes across the desk of King Charles, and is rubber-stamped by the British monarch.

If approved, it would mean that all public sector employees in Scotland would automatically be handed a day-off, while those employed in the private sector would have to rely on the discretion of their employer.

First Minister Swinney announced his plans in a statement that reads: "The whole nation will come to a standstill in June - even more so in July once we've seen off Brazil and progressed to the knockout stages.

"This is a moment 28 years in the waiting - and I want as many people as possible to share the occasion.

"That will mean that supporters across the country can watch our men's team in their first World Cup match for almost 30 years, and share in the chance for Scotland to be on the world stage, to attract business development, to create tourism and hospitality interest within the country and to make deep and lasting cultural and sporting connections."