Scotland fans who booed national anthem before clash at Hampden Park are 'out of order' and 'SNP fans', says Ally McCoist
- God Save the King was loudly booed by Scotland supporters ahead of last night's friendly against England
- Former Scotland striker McCoist has accused those who jeered the anthem of having 'a distinct lack of respect'
- Pundit responded to 'pro-English' claims, telling Alan Brazil on TalkSport: 'I am British. You got a problem with that?'
FORMER Scotland striker Ally McCoist has branded fans who booed God Save the King ahead of last night's friendly against England 'totally out of order'.
The national anthem was drowned out by Scotland fans at Hampden Park last night ahead of England's 3-1 victory.
Mr McCoist, who was working as a commentator at the game, said that he sung along to God Save the King on the gantry and suggested that 'SNP fans' were behind the incident.
The 60-year-old, who both played for and managed Rangers, told TalkSport: 'I do not like the booing of any national anthem to be honest with you. I just think it is a distinct lack of respect. I genuinely dislike it intensely.
'If you can't show respect, I am not talking about England, I am talking about anybody or anybody that goes to Hampden, any football ground or any sporting event. If you can't show the opposition respect by respecting their national anthem, I think it is a poor show.
'I get the rivalry with England and Scotland, and I get some of the Scots, perhaps SNP fans, giving it the whole bit, but I am talking about in general. There should be respect shown for an opposing national anthem and I think it is totally out of order.'
![Ally McCoist said that he sung along to God Save the King on the gantry and suggested that 'SNP fans' were behind the incident](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75380965-12510399-Ally_McCoist_said_that_he_sung_along_to_God_Save_the_King_on_the-m-10_1694608716941.jpg)
Ally McCoist said that he sung along to God Save the King on the gantry and suggested that 'SNP fans' were behind the incident
The remarks drew the ire of many Scottish nationalists on twitter, who levelled abusive terms including 'lickspittle' and 'Quisling' at Mr McCoist, who scored 19 goals for Scotland during an international career spanning 12 years.
When it was put to McCoist that he was being too 'pro-English', he said: 'For telling the truth? What all these guys can do is put their head back under the covers or the pillow. If they want to lift their head up and open their eyes, great. It's them that need the reality check, nobody else.
'Actually I was [singing God Save the King]. Because I am British. You got a problem with that?'
It came as Scotland fans were left disappointed as their recent stunning run of form came to an end against old rivals England.
After five successive Euro 2024 qualifying wins there was a euphoric atmosphere amongst the Tartan Army who had hoped to secure a first home win against England since 1985.
![Scotland lost the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match against England at Hampden Park](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355817-12510399-Scotland_lost_the_150th_Anniversary_Heritage_Match_against_Engla-a-2_1694606884919.jpg)
Scotland lost the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match against England at Hampden Park
However, it was not to be as the visitors travelled back down south with a comfortable 3-1 victory in their belt following the friendly at Glasgow's Hampden Park.
As it turned out every single goal scored on the night came off an England players' boot, with goals from Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane as well as a blundering own goal by England substitute Harry Maguire.
Sadly, fortune didn't favour Scotland as Norway beat Georgia in their Group A qualifier for the Euros.
The news left fans deflated given that a draw between Norway and Georgia would have sealed Scotland's place in next year's tournament, although they remain in a strong position.
The day had started well with thousands of fans descending on Glasgow city centre to soak up the sun and the atmosphere ahead of kick off.
Pubs around George Square and other parts of the city centre were packed to the gunwales as supporters gathered ahead of the highly-anticipated match.
![The day had started well with thousands of fans descending on Glasgow city centre to soak up the sun and the atmosphere ahead of kick off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355755-12510399-The_day_had_started_well_with_thousands_of_fans_descending_on_Gl-a-5_1694606886802.jpg)
The day had started well with thousands of fans descending on Glasgow city centre to soak up the sun and the atmosphere ahead of kick off
![Pubs around George Square and other parts of the city centre were packed to the gunwales as supporters gathered ahead of the highly-anticipated match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355823-12510399-Pubs_around_George_Square_and_other_parts_of_the_city_centre_wer-a-8_1694606889349.jpg)
Pubs around George Square and other parts of the city centre were packed to the gunwales as supporters gathered ahead of the highly-anticipated match
![Many took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a beer outside, while many belting out songs as they got in the mood before the big kick-off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355757-12510399-Many_took_advantage_of_the_mild_weather_to_enjoy_a_beer_outside_-a-7_1694606889345.jpg)
Many took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a beer outside, while many belting out songs as they got in the mood before the big kick-off
Decked out in kilts and Scotland tops, Tartan Army members could be seen in numbers at pub Hootenanny, while a group of England supporters draped a flag outside Oswald's Bar near Central Station as they stopped for a drink inside.
Many took advantage of the mild weather to enjoy a beer outside, while many belting out songs as they got in the mood before the big kick-off.
Scotland fans also gathered in large numbers at The Shed bar and club in Glasgow ahead of the sell-out match.
The special friendly was held to mark the 150th anniversary of Scotland's first game of football against England in 1872- the first ever international football match.
![Rod Stewart looks on as Scotland go two down against England](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355883-12510399-Rod_Stewart_looks_on_as_Scotland_go_two_down_against_England-a-4_1694606885291.jpg)
Rod Stewart looks on as Scotland go two down against England
![Scottish actor Gerard Butler in the stands](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355821-12510399-Scottish_actor_Gerard_Butler_in_the_stands-a-1_1694606884359.jpg)
Scottish actor Gerard Butler in the stands
![FIFA President Gianni Infantino and First Minister Humza Yousef](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355751-12510399-FIFA_President_Gianni_Infantino_and_First_Minister_Humza_Yousef-a-6_1694606886803.jpg)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and First Minister Humza Yousef
The 50,000-strong crowd in Hampden featured a few well-known faces, including Hollywood star Gerard Butler and rocker and life-long Scotland fan Sir Rod Stewart.
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf was also in attendance, spotted standing with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Elsewhere in the crowd Scottish Conservative leader and SFA referee Douglas Ross was there to cheer on Scotland.
However, the light-hearted scenes took a petulant turn in the run-up to kick off as a large number of Scotland fans chose to boo during England's rendition of God Save The King.
A minute's silence in honour of the late Scotland manager Craig Brown and victims of the disaster in Morocco was also interrupted by handful of mindless louts amongst the 3,000 strong-England support.
With the rivalry in full flow, Scotland's 'auld enemy' soon took revenge as they controlled the game early on.
The seemingly inevitable opening goal for the visitors came when Kyle Walker's low drive was redirected past helpless Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn by Phil Foden.
Three minutes later, as Scotland wobbled, skipper Andy Robertson, with time to clear deep inside his own box, passed straight to Jude Bellingham, who fired the ball low past Gunn from 12 yards.
![Young fans were left disappointed last night Scotland's recent stunning run of form came to an end](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/13/13/75355819-12510399-Young_fans_were_left_disappointed_last_night_Scotland_s_recent_s-a-3_1694606884920.jpg)
Young fans were left disappointed last night Scotland's recent stunning run of form came to an end
With little in the way of goals to cheer on, some Scotland fans took to making jokes about England's half-time substitute Harry McGuire, mocking him every time he took possession.
The ribbing continued online as well as Love Island narrator Iain Stirling took to social media to joke: 'Scotland needed substitutions to change this game. Thankfully Southgate has brought on Harry McGuire!'
Comedian Frankie Boyle also took a pop at the unfortunate McGuire, tweeting: 'The final insult as England bring Maguire on.'
Unfortunately, the Manchester United centre-back only added fuel to the fire when he scored an own goal, knocking Scotland captain Andy Robertson's cross from the right past his own goalkeeper.
Real Madrid star Bellingham then set up England captain Harry Kane to slide the ball past Gunn and restore England's two-goal lead.
Scotland will have to lift their heads following the defeat as they look to qualify for a second successive Euros.
Norway's 2-1 win over Georgia and Spain's 6-0 drubbing of Cyprus at home means Scotland still have work to do before the Tartan Army can book their flights to Germany.
They play Spain away next month - before a friendly in France - and then take on Georgia away in November before the visit of Norway in the final qualifier.