Do Scottish fans really not support England?

[HouseofHills]

There’s always a running joke about Scottish fans wanting anyone but England to win and supporting which ever team England is playing against. I totally get the friendly rivalry but is it actually true that most Scottish fans want England to lose in the Euros final or do most want England to win deep down given Scotland is out?

If England aren’t playing I think most England fans would support Scotland or Wales as fellow Brits, especially in a Euro or World Cup final!

I agree. I'm half English, half Welsh and it always saddens me to read things like this.

I actually can't understand it. It comes across as hateful and spiteful, and those are not attributes to be proud of, or teach your own children.

Threads like this just make me think the English are bloody humourless.

Have you never heard of free choice?

That's very sweet actually, but there is a decent percentage of Scottish people who don't want to be part of the UK!

At a Scotland v Germany match?

Also just like to point out that Scotland are literally always in the Group of Death while England unfailingly get a more "evenly matched" group.
But to listen to commentators cut away during a Scottish game half time to an interview with Gareth Southgate is really taking the p !

I think when you're from one country and still live in that country, it is harder to see and understand how people outside of that country see you. You're in your bubble where your education (history) and media control the narrative. It often differs from what the rest of the world is shown and taught.

If you are surprised about something, you should maybe question why it is a surprise to you.

I agree - that was a surprise.

The fact you had to dig out a clip from 15 years ago to find an example of this isn’t really supporting your point

Why?

I’ve lived in Berlin, Vienna and New York so I have some idea of how people outside the country see us. I think maybe your point would apply better to people who hate a team based on an inaccurate perception because they’ve never left their own country and don’t actually understand the fanbase so rely on lazy stereotypes.

Yet lots of Scots on here have said it isn’t just humour. That was the original question - is it just humour and good natured rivalry or not?

And as many of us have said, it's not always one thing or the other for numerous reasons.

Maybe you went to a Portugal supporting pub? As everyone I know was supporting Scotland in their match against Germany.

Yes, of course. I was just pointing out that one comes from love of the game or the team and the other comes from hatred, and I want no part of that.

Nope. The attitude towards the football team is representative of the attitude in general. It's not actually about sport at all.

Just like with the Eurovision Song Contest. The top songs are the top songs, but the rest are ranked on general feeling towards that country. Hence why the UK has been near the bottom since the war in Afghanistan (apart from Sam Ryder as per the top songs comment). No more friendly votes. No more good feelings.

I live in Scotland now. I was quite surprised when a group of school mum friends said they would support anyone but England. It was said with real venom and hatred. I find it a bit pathetic really - I’m Scots but having lived outside the country for a long time I def don’t feel like this and neither do my immediate family. We share a land border, language and similar culture with England so why support some random European nation over them?

Wanting another team to lose doesn't = hatred. Why do you think it does?

It's often accompanied by vitriol.

Sometimes it is, but certainly not always. Sometimes it's simply a case of wanting another team to win - and really, no-one has to support any team. Man City fans wouldn't necessarily support Man U playing in the cup final against another team just because they're from the same city.

The Scots hate us, they especially hate us winning at football.
I’m English, but both my parents were born in Greenock.
I get right behind the Scottish team - I just want the home nations to do well.

That said, when Andy Murray wins he’s British, when he loses he is Scottish (so my neighbour says).

An entire country doesn't hate you @maddiemookins16mum - don't be silly.

Nope, no one has to support any team, especially not England.

It is very straightforward. People like irritating things to stop.

@cupcaske123 Exactly. My son and his friends have all supported various teams throughout the tournament since Scotland left because they all have favourite players playing for their home countries. It's not vitriol or hatred of England or any other country when they cheer on another side that has their favourite player in the team - although as with any football team you get the a-holes playing, supporting or commentating on it.