Euro 2020: The build up to the Scotland v Czech Republic game

We're only a matter of hours away from seeing our national team finally make a return to a major tournament, after 23 years.

Steve Clarke's men will make history when they take to Hampden Park at 2pm to face Czech Republic.

Schools across Scotland have granted permission for pupils to watch the historical moment in class today.

Scotland midfielder John McGinn's former school St. Peter the Apostle High School in Clydebank is one of those watching the game.

Jean Morrison, depute head teacher of the school, said: "It's incredible to think that a former pupil at this school has ended up on an international platform, we're absolutely delighted.

"John was just part of the school community - a modest, quiet, hardworking boy, who obviously had a real passion for football, and that was obvious from the get go.

"He was so hardworking and determined, that I don't think there's anyone at the school who's surprised John's at the level he's at today.

"It's absolutely perfect that a young Clydebank man has become so successful.

"A superb role model for all our pupils here."

Nathan Patterson's parents Kenny and Karen were emotional as they headed to Hampden to see their son be part of history.

Karen said: "It's just such a delight for him, he's absolutely ecstatic and he's just so grateful to be there.

"We get more emotional and more nervous than he does - he's just got faith in himself and he works really hard, he's going to do well I think."

Scotland fan Gordon Sheach stopped on his way to the stadium to talk about his friend Jason, who sadly passed away before they could experience the game together.

Gordon said: "We met in Trafalgar Square in 2013.

"I was standing on Nelson's Column, and he sort of wanders over, I pull him up, he was on his own, he didn't have any pals down in London who were Scotland fans.

"We stayed very close since then, we lost him to cancer in 2018 - it was always our dream that we'd go to a major final together."

The First Minister has also sent the national team a good luck video message too, and says she'll be watching on as the team take on Czech Republic.

Around 3,000 people also have tickets to watch on giant screens at the official UEFA fan zone on Glasgow Green.

We went along this morning to hear about the preparations in place before the fans arrive.

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