Scotland is barely catching its breath after last night’s extraordinary win, but the calls to mark the moment have already begun.
Scottish Green Co-Leader Gillian Mackay says the country should celebrate its long-awaited return to the World Cup with a national bank holiday on the day of Scotland’s opening match.
Her argument is simple.
Scotland has just nine bank holidays a year, fewer than many European nations, and nothing brings people together quite like football at its most joyful.
She said the win was long overdue, historic and every bit as nerve shredding as the final fifteen minutes felt to the millions who watched.
She said the country deserves the chance to share the moment properly.
“Last night was a long overdue and historic result for Steve Clarke and his players, even if the last fifteen minutes were a rollercoaster,” she said.
She said people across Scotland are already counting down to the opening fixture.
“There are millions of us looking forward to seeing our men’s team playing on the biggest stage,” she said.
“Lots of people will already be thinking about how they can make sure they get the day off work.”
She said the simplest answer is the most joyful one.
“Football is for all of us,” she said.
“What better way to bring the country together than to make it a bank holiday and ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to watch it?”
Her call reflects the mood in towns and cities this morning, where a nation of sore throats, sore heads and sore hands from clapping is slowly taking in what last night meant.
For the first time since 1998 Scotland are heading back to a World Cup.
For the first time in a generation the anthem will echo on football’s greatest stage.
And for the first time in years there is a growing belief that Scotland should enjoy the moment with the same confidence and pride shown by the team that got them there.
Whether the bank holiday becomes reality remains in the hands of the Scottish Government, but the idea has already found its way into pub chat, office whispers and early morning group chats across the country.
After all, Scotland waited decades for this.
A day to celebrate does not feel like too much to ask.
Especially when the whole nation plans to watch together.
