It’s usually the hope that gets you. Yet here we are, for the first time in 17 years, daring to dream. Scotland, oh bonnie Scotland, back in the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.
It could happen, but if history has taught us anything it’s that no matter how tantalisingly close it may feel, we remain oh so far away from the promised land.
Thursday was the latest hurdle in what has for a generation felt like a never-ending tale of woe.
The Euro 2021 play-off semi-final against Israel at Hampden was one of the worst games we’ve watched in years and that’s saying something when you start thinking about some of the horrendous results we’ve endured.
But, as poor as it was, it was one of those so-tense-you-can’t-take-your-eyes-off-it sort of deals because we all knew what was at stake.
Defeat and it would have been regarded as a national outrage. The latest debate discussing where we’ve gone so terribly wrong would be well under way by now and every pundit would be offering his or her tuppence on what needs to be done.
Let’s be honest here – we all feared the worst when it went to penalties too. After all, this is Scotland we’re talking about. The world champions of finding a new way not to qualify. We’ve had it all. Goal difference, head-to-head, drawing lots, you name it. Losing a penalty shootout was odds-on favourite to be added to the list.
But this time it was different. Five perfect penalties, one super save, and Steve Clarke and his players have put Scotland one step away from ending the misery.
On an incredible night where luck smiled upon us it even felt like the other semi-final went Scotland’s way too when Serbia upset the odds to beat Norway.
Many of the Tartan Army had already envisaged how this was going to play out if we faced Norway with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland being lined up as the man to end our hopes at the final stage.
But no, fate has taken us on a different path – not to Norway but to Serbia. They are a nation we’ve faced only twice before. The two teams drew 0-0 at Hampden before Serbia won 2-0 at home in the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign.
It’s funny, now we’re only one game away from reaching the finals all that dread and resignation has been replaced by a feeling of expectancy. No doubt as the game draws nearer the optimism will increase.
Tartan Army members will be convincing each other it’s a one-off, anything can happen. We’re got to end this sometime, why not now? It will feel as if it’s our destiny by the time November 12 comes around. A nation will hold its breath – not in fear but with belief this time is going to be different.
Sanity and common sense, the ghosts of failed campaigns past will be forgotten. This is our time.
Strike up the band, it is time to march once more. We’re all going to the party and we’ll show the world what they have missed. We will – won’t we?
Like I said, it’s the hope that gets you.
