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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Gregor Young

Tartan Army to honour 'great patriot' Alex Salmond at Scotland v Portugal match

THE Tartan Army is set to honour Alex Salmond with a one-minute applause ahead of Scotland’s game against Portugal on Tuesday.

The former first minister was known as a keen member of the Tartan Army himself, and joined other Scotland fans in Germany for the Euro 2024 competition over the summer.

After his sudden passing over the weekend, following a heart attack in North Macedonia, tributes have been paid from figures across Scotland and beyond.

Now, the Tartan Army is expected to pay tribute in their own way ahead of the Scotland v Portugal game.

The two teams will face off at Hampden on October 15, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Iain Emerson, the editor of the Famous Tartan Army Magazine – for which Salmond previously wrote a column, told the Scottish Sun: “It was a massive shock and a massive loss for the country. He was a massive football fan and a member of the Tartan Army.

“No matter what your political views or thoughts on independence are, everyone knows he always tried to do what he thought was best for the country.

“Many fans mixed with him and he joined in all the fun. He was always up for a good sing song and a party.”

Stuart Murphy, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, said that although they tried to be apolitical, “on this occasion, I feel it appropriate to mark the passing of this great patriot”.

He told the Sun: “Alex was a real Scotland fan long before he became politically active and continued to be a real friend to our national game throughout his career from the grass roots upwards. RIP Alex.”

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