Tartan Army fans entering the Glasgow Fan Zone are 100 per cent confident in a Scottish triumph against Croatia.

The first 20 fans to enter Glasgow Green showed we’re still optimists and said they were confident of a win.

Thomas Courtney, 20, of Wallyford, said he has utter belief that Steve Clarke's men would reach the knockout stages - and said he fully expects tonight to be the best of his life.

Thomas, a lifeguard at the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh, said: “I’d say that the England match was right up there as one of the best nights of my life - and we never even won.

“So that would mean a win tonight will top the lot.”

Thomas Courtney (centre) and his pals

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Thomas said a typically Scottish quirk of circumstance would involve us failing to score a goal yet sneaking through.

He said: “I predict a late own goal from Croatia maybe from Modric.

“They’re a good team but we are playing at home and our form has been getting better and better. We’ll do it.

“We have to do it because I can’t stand another 23 years of waiting until this comes round again. Win or lose though this has been a brilliant couple of weeks for Scotland.”

Emma Clark and friends at the fanzone

Avril Johnstone, 28, was among group of five footballers to get tickets from Glasgow Green - just a short walk from their homes.

Avril, a Glasgow University researcher said: “The tension has been building but the team has been great and done us proud even if we only have one point so far.

“It’s been a great diversion form all the covid doom and gloom in any case. I think if we play like we did against England we can do it.”

Despite being just 28, Emma Clark, a primary school teacher, already has a full pedigree as a Tartan Army soldier.

She said: “It’s great we got tickets for this. I’ve been to see Scotland all over the place - Poland, the Czech Republic, Ireland, so I’m quite seasoned.

“My earliest memories from a big competition were the last one - at France ‘98.

Chris and Noah Donnelly

“My dad took me to Marseilles but I didn’t get a ticket because he said it would be wasted on a five year old. But I’m not bitter.

“There’s something brilliant at being involved in the big competitions.

“I think we can win 2-1 or 2-0. You have to live in hope.”

Chris Donnelly, 35, was full of confidence and four-year-old son Noah would not consider defeat as an option.

Chris said: “The wee fella isn’t prepared for a loss and I don’t think I could explain to him how I felt myself when I as a wee boy and we had those tragic losses.

Jamie Watson and the Kirkudbright Tartan Army

“But I guess that’s all part of growing up. I hope he doesn’t have top deal with that ne tonight. I think we’ll get a two nil win.”

Jamie Watson, 19, and four friends in Kirkcudbright, in the Borders, all predicted a Scottish win.

The group all digs in Glasgow and were making a party of things, no matter the result.

Jamie said: “I predict 1-0, John McGinn - he owes us one because there’s been so much singing his name. I think we can do it.”

His pal Kenneth Davies, 18, said: “We’ve all been shouting on Grant Hanley, who’s a local hero.

Phil Lockhart and his son Owen and pals

“He is the epitome of how you can make it big even if you don’t get the best start.

“He was released by Queen of the South, who didn’t think he was good enough, and now he’s in the English Premiership. He’s been great for Scotland and a goal hero would make him a legend.”

Phil Lockhart, 46, and son Owen, 15 travelled from Dundee to get a bit closer to the action in the Fan Zone.

He said: “We might be living in hope more than anything else but I haven’t even contemplated a Scotland loss.

“Winning this would be like winning the whole thing after our history.”

Scotland fan Craig Agnew

Owen added: “The fans are confident so the team should be too - we can do it.”

Craig Agnew, 36, and pals from Saltcoats, were just as confident.

He said: “It will be close but I’ll take a one nil.”

Pal Alex Jardine, 36, added: “Croatia are a great team time but they’re getting on a bit and we’re playing at home. We played better against England than they did.”

Clare Tocker, 33, said: “We’re on the edge of something historic and we only have to win one match.

"We can definitely do it.”

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