The Scotland faithful may have left their mark on Boston, Massachusetts, but can the Three Lions roar loud enough to win over the city's hearts? For two weeks, tens of thousands of tartan-clad fans descended upon the city, leaving a lasting impression that'll be remembered for years to come. As they bid farewell and head south to Miami for their final group stage match against Brazil, attention shifts to the impending arrival of England fans ahead of their crucial showdown with Ghana on Tuesday at 21:00 BST.
Local hotspots like the Cask 'n Flagon pub near Fenway Park are bracing themselves for a new influx of visitors. Manager Brandon Finnan couldn't believe his luck, saying they'd run out of almost every beer during the Scotland games. But it wasn't just the sales that impressed him – the Scots' respectful behaviour and understanding of local tipping customs earned them a special mention from Finnan: 'The city really needed this positive atmosphere right now.' Even The Boston Globe got in on the action, publishing a full-page advert in tribute to the Tartan Army's unforgettable visit.
The bond forged between Boston and Glasgow is stronger than ever, with Mayor Michelle Wu signing a letter of intent to establish the Scottish city as a 'sister city' to Boston. And it's not just politicians who are singing from the same hymn sheet – Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy even penned a heartfelt letter to the Scottish FA, thanking them for an unforgettable experience after hundreds of fans invaded Fenway Park for a baseball match, filling the stadium with kilts and Scottish flags.
Now, it's England's turn to step up to the plate. With estimated numbers between 10,000 and 15,000 expected to descend upon Boston, they'll be hoping to replicate the goodwill that their Scottish counterparts so effortlessly generated. But will they succeed? Brandon Finnan thinks it might be a tougher ask than they anticipate: 'We've taken Scotland under our wings. We're in love with Scotland now, so we're on their side.' Similar sentiments were echoed at The Dubliner pub, where manager Brian McDonnell described the Scots as an 'awesome crowd' who were 'very understanding'. While welcoming England fans, he hinted that they might not quite get the same treatment: 'We won't maybe be hanging up an English flag outside as much as the Scottish flag, but they're still welcome and will still have a good time.'
The challenge is clear: can England win over a city that's already fallen head over heels for Scotland? Only time will tell, but one thing's for certain – it won't be easy.