Do us proud! Stars rally behind Scotland squad ahead of crunch game

By JOHN PAUL BRESLIN, WEEKEND NEWS EDITOR - SCOTLAND Published: 21:24, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 21:24, 12 June 2026 Scotland's national side has been buoyed by an outpouring of support at home and abroad as the men’s team look to make history at the World Cup. Steve Clarke’s players are about to start their campaign at football’s biggest show for the first time in 28 years. Anticipation has been building for months since Scotland secured their place with a stunning 4 -2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park last November. Ahead of the team’s opening match against Haiti tomorrow, the great and the good have rallied behind the squad as expectations reach fever pitch. Gordon Ramsay was quick to talk up the national side’s efforts – going as far as to attend a training session to wish them well. The celebrity chef was spotted on the sidelines as Steve Clarke put his players through their paces. Ramsay was even presented with a Scotland shirt by captain Andy Robertson with ‘Ramsay 26’ on the back and even chatted to players Anthony Ralston, Scott McTominay and Che Adams as they worked out in the gym. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay visited the Scotland camp on Friday to lend his support  Championing the side, Ramsay said: ‘I’m excited for their performance. We’ve got one of the best squads, one of the youngest squads we’ve ever produced. ‘Steve’s doing a cracking job.’ A number of stars also recorded video messages of encouragement for the team. Daytime TV queen Lorraine Kelly said: ‘We’re all behind you, the whole country is behind you. We’re so excited for this World Cup.’ Daytime TV queen Lorrain Kelly told the Scotland squad the while country was behind them Dundee-born star Brian Cox said: ‘I know in my heart you’re going to do a magnificent job. You’re a great team.’ Similarly, Outlander star Sam Heughan said: ‘I want to wish the boys, Steve, everyone that’s out there, right now, in America for the World Cup good luck. The whole nation is behind you. We’ll be cheering you on. Let’s do it for Scotland.’ Two Doors Down star Elaine C Smith said: ‘All the best. Just you guys getting there, just being there is what matters.’ Hollywood actor Alan Cumming said: ‘I’m so proud of you. I know we’re all going to be rooting for you. You have courage in your hearts and magic in your feet and you’re going to be great.’ Former soldier and TV presenter JJ Chalmers said: ‘I can’t wait to see you walk out on the pitch and do us proud.’ Stars of stage and screen have rushed to support the Scotland team ahead of their opening match against Haiti on Sunday Gregory’s Girl actor John Gordon Sinclair said: ‘I’ve got a good feeling about this. I think this is going to be our year.’ Actress Lauren Lyle, who plays the lead role in ITV crime series Karen Pirie, delighted in seeing Scotland fans flooding Heathrow Airport as they travelled to the U.S. Sharing photos of supporters she came across, she wrote: ‘It’s actually emotional. I’ve never seen so many kilts in the airport. It feels like love actually. Go on boys!’ BBC weather presenter Judith Ralston took the opportunity ahead of the match to share an update on the conditions the team can expect on the day of the Haiti match. Sharing a forecast that predicted ‘very warm sunshine and light winds,’ she wrote: ‘Come on boys stay cool.’ As many as 40,000 Scots are expected in the New England area of the U.S. alone for Scotland’s opening matches. Among them will be Line of Duty star Martin Compston, who shared a photo of himself in a Scotland top as he made his way to the airport. In a nod to one of the Tartan Army’s favourite songs, he wrote: ‘We’ll be coming down the road.’ The numbers of Scots descending on America has been boosted by the sheer number of families travelling out together. Among them are those of the players and coaching staff and Steve Clarke noted his own travelling contingent, telling the press he had been accompanied by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and two daughters-in-law. He said: ‘There’s a big Clarke clan here. Listen, it’s going to be great. Not many people get the chance to take their country to a World Cup. ‘I’m going to try and enjoy it but obviously the game will dictate that more than the circumstances.’ Addressing the weight of expectation on his side, he added: ‘It’s great to be here, but we also want to do something special.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. 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