If the Tartan Army was an actual military force it would be doomed because it never has the crucial element of surprise. The physical stamina of some of its footsoldiers — beer for breakfast and still going strong at closing time — might give the Paras a run for their money but the “TA” is predictable. It goes to three foreign fields and then the timing of its retreat is known to everyone months in advance. The date of the final group game in a tournament? Scotland will be heading home 24 hours later.
The players, the manager, the opposition and the circumstances change but the end result is always the same. Del Amitri’s Don’t Come Home Too Soon was the official Scotland anthem for
