MORE than three-quarters of Scots believe the men’s national team can end decades of hurt and reach the knockout stages of the World Cup, according to new polling.
A survey commissioned by Aldi and carried out by ScotPulse found 77% of people in Scotland think Steve Clarke’s side has a realistic chance of progressing beyond the group stage at this summer's tournament – the country’s first men’s World Cup in almost 30 years.
Optimism is even stronger among dedicated supporters, with 83% of self-described diehard fans telling researchers they believe this could be the year Scotland make history by navigating their way out of the groups for the first time.
The findings suggest millions are braced for an emotional rollercoaster, with hopes higher than for any major tournament in a generation.
The poll, which questioned more than 1140 Scots, also underlines the scale of the country’s backing for Clarke and his players.
Some 82% of respondents said they planned to follow Scotland’s fortunes during the World Cup, while around one in six admitted they were prepared to stay up into the early hours to watch late kick-offs live.
On the back of the research, Aldi has launched what it is calling “Hope Insurance” – a tongue-in-cheek campaign aimed at cushioning the blow if Scotland’s campaign does not go to plan.
Fans can sign up for free, with small rewards on offer when goals are conceded or matches are lost, and a bigger payout promised if Scotland manage to defy expectations and reach the latter stages.
The initiative is fronted by Aldi Scotland deputy store manager Stevie Clark, whose near-identical name to the national team head coach has made him a familiar figure to regular customers.
He said: “I’ve had so many customers over the years joking about me sharing the same name as the Scotland manager, and I’m sure that will only ramp up during the World Cup.
“Like everyone else at Aldi, I’ve got my fingers crossed for Steve and the team and we really hope the team can deliver the history-making achievement we’ve been waiting for. But as the saying goes, it’s the hope that kills you.
“Our first-ever Hope Insurance guarantees lucky fans a little something to smile about if things don’t go our way. We really hope we don’t have to pay out, but like all insurance policies, it’s there just in case.”
Aldi said the campaign builds on its position as one of Scotland’s biggest backers of local produce, and is designed to tap into what is expected to be one of the country’s biggest cultural sporting moments in a generation.
