It's game face on for the Tartan Army as World Cup organisers promise improved queues for the crunch match against Morocco. The scenes of chaos witnessed at Boston Stadium last weekend, where Scotland faced Haiti, will be a distant memory – or so they claim. Widespread complaints from fans about 'dangerous' and interminably long queues have been music to the ears of those in charge, who've taken heed of the criticisms.
Supporters were left gasping for air, quite literally, as packed trains with no air con navigated the city during a sweltering heatwave. Alison Stewart's harrowing account of an 'absolutely suffocating' train ride was just one of many, while Alan McCloskey from West Lothian questioned the 'lack of transport co-ordination', wondering how it didn't end in disaster. With police stepping in to assist a distressed fan, the situation was all too real.
FIFA's prompt response acknowledged queues were indeed longer than optimal – code for a right old mess! – but they've since made adjustments after analysing crowd patterns. Police Scotland and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority have also been feeding back to organisers, highlighting improvements such as revamped signage and routing for rail passengers. It's about time, too.
With nearly 20,000 fans crammed into Boston Stadium last week, it's no surprise that chaos ensued. But now, with a 'number of minor adjustments' in place – allegedly – things should be smoother sailing for the Norway v Iraq match (and by extension, Scotland v Morocco). Wednesday's Norway game saw fewer passengers and an earlier kick-off time, allowing fans to avoid peak train queues.
The proof will be in the pudding, as over 16,000 train tickets have already been snapped up for the Morocco clash. Stadium parking has been reduced from 20,000 to a paltry 5,000 spaces, but special trains and buses are still on offer – if you can get your hands on one! As ever, Police Scotland's role is that of liaison officer, working with organisers to ensure safety and providing crucial advice.