The birthplace of the American revolution, Boston is steeped in history and heritage.
When the wind whispers in the tree-lined streets of the city on the bay, it speaks of the Fitzgeralds and Kennedys, the great political dynasties, of its importance to the anti-slavery movement and immigration.
While it is more closely aligned with Ireland, the influence of the Scots in its cultural identity is significant.
There’s been a strong Caledonian connection here since boats first docked at the harbour in the early 18th century.
A statue of Robert Burns stands proudly in Back Bay, reflecting the appreciation of Scottish literature in the wider region. Tartan Days are now commonplace across New England.
Such jamborees will feel as reserved as a Sunday church service, though, compared to the whirlwind of chaos which will blow through it this weekend.
Boston is a city with strong Caledonian connections and is perfect place for Scotland’s opener
It was always going to take more than exorbitant hotel and match ticket prices to deter the Tartan Army from packing into the bars dotted on either side of Charles River.
It’s a good job that Boston’s pub culture is renowned throughout the US. They’re probably going to need a bigger barrel.
Some 10,217 days after Scotland’s last match at a World Cup ended in ignominy in St Etienne against Morocco, the throat is being cleared and the national team is about to be welcomed back onto the big stage.
It’s extraordinary to consider that so many of those who have made this pilgrimage weren’t even born back then. And many who were won’t even remember it.
After failing to reach six successive World Cups, this, for now at least, feels like seventh heaven.
Notwithstanding that qualifying for the World Cup these days — now a 48-team money-making machine — is easier than it used to be and that eight of the 12 third-placed sides will also progress, there’s an expectation that Boston will bear witness to more history.
Defeat Haiti, a nation ranked 40 places below them in the FIFA rankings, on Saturday evening and Steve Clarke’s players will already have one foot in the round of 32.
Scotland fans have already been excitedly filling the streets and bars of downtown Boston
Since the international selection committee made way for Andy Beattie back in 1954, 21 men have taken charge of the national team on a permanent basis. None have succeeded in taking a side beyond a group stage. Clarke could be days away from breaking the mould.
Securing third place, which seems the most likely scenario, would not be uncharted territory.
Scotland have finished in that position in four World Cups and two European Championships and still packed their bags. The fact is that the entrance door to the knock-out round is now wider.
If they can pull it off by hook or by crook, joy would still be unconfined.
There are many reasons to feel cautiously optimistic. After years in the wilderness, Clarke’s side are now steeped in tournament experience.
A dozen of the current 26-man squad were present for the delayed Euro 2020. Fourteen of them were selected for Euro 2024. While both events proved to be damp squibs, there were learnings for all concerned.
No matter how all this unfolds, the preparations have been polished. The players looked all the better for a few days training in the humidity of Florida when they thumped Bolivia in New Jersey last weekend. Their training camp in Charlotte was everything they’d hoped it would be.
All of Scotland has been eagerly awaiting their return to this stage since qualifying last year
Two years ago, Scotland settled into their quiet Bavarian base looking weary.
Too many players were coming off the back of gruelling seasons with their clubs. John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson, the star men, were unable to put their mind over matters.
Maybe deep down, Clarke knew what was coming. He cut an irritable figure throughout that competition and was posted missing afterwards. He’s looked more relaxed over the past fortnight. This is reflective of his side being in a better place.
McGinn missed the entirety of January at Aston Villa through injury. This may have been a blessing in disguise. He looked re-energised as he lifted the Europa League trophy last month. When he plays, so do Scotland.
McTominay’s display against Bolivia was like a man playing against boys. Voted the best player in Serie A after winning the league a year ago, he’s got nothing to prove to anyone in Europe. At the age of 29, he looks eminently capable of lighting up the world stage.
What proved to be Robertson’s final season at Liverpool was one of deep frustration. He became a more peripheral figure in Arne Slot’s failing side. The upside of making just 11 league starts is that he also has plenty gas in the tank.
The same applies to Ben Gannon-Doak. Injured the night he teed up McTominay’s outrageous overhead kick against Denmark, he played only nine times for Bournemouth last term.
Steve Clarke has a number of selection issues to fret over in the build-up to the Haiti clash
On the evidence of his turbo-charged display in New Jersey, his club’s loss has been Scotland’s gain. Having missed Euro 2024 through injury, he has the potential to become one of this tournament’s break-out stars.
The winger is the standard-bearer for the next generation which now counts Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher among its number. The latter two have bright futures in dark blue. But both will feel their moment is nigh.
After a 28-year wait to return to the greatest show on earth, none of Clarke’s players can assume that this opportunity will come around again.
This is more pronounced for the veterans of the squad. For Craig Gordon, Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean and Robertson, this is the first and last dance. No regrets please, gentlemen.
With Morocco and Brazil still to come, a victory over Haiti feels non-negotiable.
Unable to play matches in their own troubled country, the players who represent the Caribbean nation have a cause like no other.
They have spirit, considerable talent and, in Sebastien Migne, a shrewd coach who was assistant manager for Cameroon at the last World Cup. But their players mostly earn a crust with clubs which go under the radar. Bastia, Lugano, Vizela and the like.
Scotland, inarguably, have better players. If they hit the straps, even in tough conditions, their quality should be telling.
The Foxborough Stadium, on the outskirts of Boston, is home to the New England Patriots
Clarke might want to gloss over the national team’s record at this juncture as he puts the finishing touches to his team talk.
In 23 World Cup group stage matches stretching back to 1954, Scotland have won just four — against Zaire, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden.
Just two of the eight group openers have ended in victory. Let’s not mention Iran, Costa Rica and that luckless loss to Brazil in Paris.
Of the 16 possible venues, there could be no more fitting backdrop for this opening game than Boston.
The capital of Massachusetts boasts a giant in each of the four sporting disciplines which are so central to American life; The Red Sox in baseball, the Celtics in basketball, the Bruins in ice hockey and the New England Patriots in NFL.
The denizens of the other great cities would dispute it, but Boston enjoys its reputation of being the most significant sporting location in this vast country.
While the venue in which Scotland will play is called the ‘Boston Stadium’ for the purposes of the World Cup, it’s actually situated in Foxborough, 22 miles southwest.
Skipper Andy Robertson was in jovial mood as he led the preparations for the date with destiny
This will necessitate a tartan-clad cavalcade. Keen to avoid inflated charges on public transport, one group of fans have hired a fleet of yellow school buses.
Fittingly, they will alight at the home of the Patriots. It would be pleasing if the team can channel their inner Tom Brady and control what follows.
Scotland have come a long way in seven years under Clarke. The hope of the entire nation is that they can go a little further.
The shadow of Harvard University would seem an apt place for the Ayrshireman to become Scotland’s history man.
