Scotland Fans Dream of Knockout Stage as Morocco Clash Looms

Scotland fans are daring to dream of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, ahead of the team's crucial clash with Morocco in Boston. After defeating Haiti 1-0 last Saturday, another victory would seal qualification into the last 32 of the competition, and even a draw would almost certainly secure a place.

Fanzones Across the Country

Fanzones across Scotland will open for the game, which kicks off at 23:00. Among them will be the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow, which will switch from rock bands and pop singers to showing John McGinn and company on big screens. Organisers DF Concerts secured a late licence to broadcast the vital match into the early hours of Saturday, despite concerns from local residents. That has meant an early finish to the music, with headline act Richard Ashcroft due to finish by 22:15, instead of the typical curfew of about 23:00.

Once the former Verve singer wraps up, pre-match entertainment will take over. Singer and piper Cammy Barnes – who opens the festival just after midday – will be back on stage to play Flower of Scotland just before kick-off. Broadcaster Sean McDonald will host proceedings with guest Rose Reilly, famously the only Scottish person to have been part of a World Cup winning side after she joined the Italian women's team in 1984. Organisers say a special football-themed playlist by radio DJ George Bowie will keep spirits high, and comedian Rosco McClelland will bring his popular Scottish take on the theme tune from Boston-based classic sitcom Cheers to the stage.

Geoff Ellis, chief executive of DF Concerts, called for a "sea of Saltires" at the festival and said hearing Flower of Scotland would be a "hairs on the back of the neck' moment". He added: "We're building up to another huge weekend on Glasgow Green but it doesn't get much bigger than showing a World Cup game on the nation's biggest screen. We all saw the incredible scenes and celebrations across Scotland on Sunday morning and we're thrilled we can host our own unique fanzone this Friday."

Other Fanzones

There will be other fanzones across the length and breadth of the country. In Glasgow, large music venues like the OVO Hydro, Saint Luke's and the O2 Academy are all screening the match, though they require tickets for entry, as are Dundee's LiveHouse and the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy. In Aberdeen, fans can flock to places like the city's Beach Ballroom, while the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh will show the fixture on a large screen. Scores of smaller venues – like rugby and tennis clubs – are also hosting watch parties.

Pubs Expecting Bumper Crowds

Pubs and bars can expect one of the busiest nights of the year, given the game kicks off three hours earlier than the Haiti game last Saturday – which saw bumper profits for the trade. Earlier this week, Louise MacLean of the Signature Pub Group told BBC Scotland it had been an incredible night. She said: "My lord, did those tills ring. We had record breaking sales. That is a gift to a trade that has been so damaged over the past few years. We've had people flying in from Europe for this. I can't imagine that anyone who stayed open won't have had an incredible night."

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated earlier this week that Scotland's group games could generate an additional £7m for pubs and bars, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be poured out during the game. Almost all of Scotland's councils, who approve extensions to licensing rules, have allowed pubs and clubs to stay open to show the games despite them often continuing beyond normal closing times.