While Scottish broadcaster Andrew Neil declared his support, external for the Three Lions following Scotland’s elimination, comments made last week by SNP MP Lara Bird suggest the King was right not to expect Scots to back England.
Bird, who is half English, told Politics Live, external that Scots had become “really passionate” Mexico and Norway supporters ahead of their games with England, adding that she was likely to cheer on the Norwegians.
The MP laughed it off as a light-hearted bit of fun, but not everyone agreed.
Several commenters called it “pathetic”, while others expressed puzzlement.
“If Scotland were playing anybody else in the world apart from England I’d be supporting them,” MP Karl Turner posted, external.
But to many north of the border, the more pertinent question is why would they be expected to support the “Auld Enemy”?
For them, England’s exit would simply be the most entertaining outcome.
A common response on social media is to post a clip of a Kevin Bridges stand-up set from 2020.
Impersonating a perplexed English person, the comedian says: “Let me get this straight … you actively support the other teams because they’re playing England?”
Reverting to his Glaswegian accent, Bridges adds: “That’s pretty much it, mate.”