PUBS across the country are expected to see a multi-million-pound boost as hundreds of thousands of extra pints are predicted to be sold during Scotland's World Cup match against Morocco.
Steve Clarke’s side take on Morocco on Friday evening, with hopes running high among the Tartan Army following Scotland’s historic 1-0 victory against Haiti on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of Scotland fans have made the trip to Boston to watch the men's team play in their first World Cup in 28 years, with the Tartan Army reportedly drinking bars in the American city dry.
But it’s not just travelling Scotland fans who have been enjoying the party atmosphere, as Scots at home have turned out in their droves to pack out pubs across the country to cheer on Andy Robertson and the rest of the team.
Some pubs in Scotland said they saw “record-breaking sales” following Saturday night's match, with at least 380,000 extra pints, worth around £1.9 million, also estimated to be sold across the country, according to the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA).
Paul Togneri, from the SBPA, said they estimate that around 520,000 extra pints are expected to be sold for Friday night’s match against Morocco, generating around £2.6m for pubs and bars.
“Scotland’s return to the World Cup has given pubs a much-needed welcome boost, with early indications suggesting at least 380,000 extra pints were sold for the Haiti game despite the 2am kick-off,” Togneri said.
“It’s an incredible result following an incredible match.”
Togneri added that with an 11pm kick off against Morocco, three hours earlier than the Haiti match start time, he expects the game to be a “significantly better” opportunity for pubs and bars to benefit from the occasion.
He said: “With Friday night’s clash against Morocco starting at a much more pub-friendly 11pm we expect an even bigger boost, with over half a million extra pints to be poured in pubs and bars across the country. That would be worth upwards of £2.6 million to the trade, which is hugely welcome for venues still battling high costs.
“If you can't be in Boston, there's no better place than the pub. We’d urge supporters to get down to their local, back the team and cheer Scotland on together.”
It comes after the Tartan Army are reportedly drinking Boston dry, with bars across the city seeing record sales as Scotland fans have cemented their world-famous reputation for partying.
Sam Adams said its Boston Taproom ran out of its Samuel Adams Boston Lager over the weekend due to the Tartan Army drinking the bar dry.
They added that between Thursday and Sunday, they sold four times as many Boston Lagers as it normally sells during a typical four-day holiday stretch like the Fourth of July.
According to local reports, the business had to schedule an emergency delivery on Saturday morning just to keep up with the demand.
Elsewhere, Hennessy’s Bar in Boston said that it tripled its St. Patrick’s Day sales and sold out of beer altogether on Sunday night, according to The Boston Globe.
“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’ve never seen anything like it,” said Noelle Somers, Hennessy’s chief operating officer.
