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Euros 2020: Why does Rod Stewart support Scotland?
Scotland have plenty of big name supporters for their Euro 2020 match against England today, but the top of the heap is Sir Rod Stewart.
The Da Ya Think I’m Sexy singer is a devoted member of the Tartan Army, and will be at Wembley tonight to see his beloved team take on England.
However, some may be confused as to why Sir Rod is such a big Scotland supporter when he’s English.
The star was born in Highgate, North London, and grew up in the capital.
Well, it’s all down to his father Robert, who was Scottish. He and his wife Elsie, who was English, lived in Scotland and welcomed their first four children there, before moving to London, where their youngest son Rod was born.
Previously speaking to the Herald, Sir Rod explained that he grew up supporting his father’s nation as well as Celtic, and his own sons have followed suit, saying: ‘They are Scotland football supporters, they support Scotland at rugby and are Celtic fans. They are aware of the tartan blood inside them.’
Sir Rod was ‘over the moon’ when Scotland qualified for the Euros – their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup – in a penalty shoot-out against Serbia, but today admitted that it would be an ‘uphill climb’ for Steve Clarke’s side to secure a win over England.
The 76-year-old told BBC Breakfast: ‘I’ve been watching these games since I was 14, England and Scotland, and I’ve had my heart broken so many times.
‘I’d love to see the Scots win. It is going to be an uphill climb, but win or lose, as long as they make us proud.
‘It is a serious day, I am the cockney Scotsman, and we do take this game extremely serious against the old enemy. I’m very passionate. I’m actually going to be going, I’ve got a box for six, cost me an arm and a leg, I had to sell the house to buy it.
‘I’m taking my two sons and three of my best friends who are all Scotland supporters, we are just going to hope for the best.’
Offering his final prediction for the score, he said: ‘One-nil to Scotland and I will die a happy man.’
Reflecting on his favourite memory of an England v Scotland game, he said: ‘The most famous one was in 1977 when Scotland beat England with the pitch invasion. My dad was next to me, I said: “Dad, I’m going to go down on the pitch.” He said: “No you’re not.” I said: “Yes, I am.”
‘I got to the side of the pitch and I had a tammy (hat) on. The policeman said: “You’re not going on there,” and I took my hat off and he knew who it was, and he said: “Go on then,” so I was part of that pitch invasion, naughty boy.’
Sir Rod, who recorded a version of Que Sera Sera for Scotland’s 1978 World Cup campaign, as well as Purple Heather with the Scotland squad for Euro 96, said he would jump at the chance to record another football anthem.
He said: ‘I would love to, if I was asked, I would do it. We don’t need a song right now because we’re already in the in the finals. But for the World Cup, if I was asked to do one, I’d love to do one.’
Scotland v England kicks off at 8pm at Wembley.
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