Boston becomes 'mini-Scotland' before World Cup opener

With just hours to go until Scotland's opening World Cup match, anticipation is building across the city that has become a temporary home for the Tartan Army.

Scotland will play Haiti in their first World Cup encounter in 28 years. The long-anticipated match will kick-off at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough at 21:00 local time, 02:00 in Scotland.

It is estimated that between 20,000 to 30,000 thousands fans have travelled to Boston for the match.

They are now being joined by a last-minute influx of fans staying further afield in areas such as New York and Rhode Island.

"It's a Scotland invasion, absolutely everyone is here. I don't know how there's anyone left at home," said David Martin, 28, from Glasgow.

He added: "I quit my job to be here, I couldn't miss it. I missed out on on the Euros so I wasn't going to let that happen again."

The Tartan Army is certainly making its presence felt in the city.

Flags hung on buildings marking 250 years since US independence have been outnumbered by Saltires.

Fans wearing Boston Red Sox memorabilia have been trumped by Scotland strips, and walking down the street it feels as though every second person you see is wearing a kilt.

Even the local statues are now wearing traffic cones - just like the Duke of Wellington in Glasgow.

"It's like a little Scotland in one city, it's a festival atmosphere," said Adam Gray, 39, from Haddington.

He travelled to the US with his dad, Adam Snr, and son Callen. But along the way they bumped into a familiar face.

While in a queue to buy a beer, he was approached by school friend Niall Stone, who is originally from the same town but has been living in Australia for a number of years.

"It's mad when you've not seen someone in years, football really brings everyone together," Niall said.

They are now going to attend a baseball game together.

Almost 1,000 fans have made their way to the match on traditional American school buses, in a bid to save money.

Buses have left from Boston city centre and Providence in neighbouring Rhode Island, which is close to the match venue.

Some fans will get there early to take part in traditional American tailgate parties in the stadium carparks.

Local politicians have taken notice of the hysteria too.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said: "I was speaking to lawyers and judges earlier today who told me they could not hear anything in the courthouse because of the noise outside from the Tartan Army.

"I think I'm going to have to call Canada and call the governors in Maine and Vermont to put out an SOS for more alcohol."

Boston's mayor admitted the city had been rethinking plans to deal with fans and they are now looking into implementing a consumption zone.