Scottish fans at Hampden Park booed ‘God Save the King’ on Tuesday night, when it was played before their international friendly against Northern Ireland.
Not for the first time, the anthem was met with a chorus of boos from a section of the Scottish support.
Northern Ireland use ‘God save the King’ as their anthem while Scotland and Wales have their own anthems, with God save the King followed up by a rousing rendition of ‘Flower of Scotland’ on Tuesday night.
Scotland fans also booed ‘God save the King’ last September before an international friendly against England, which Gareth Southgate’s side won 3-1.
Scotland legend Ally McCoist was critical of the Scottish fans for their reaction to the anthem on that occasion.
“I do not like the booing of any national anthem to be honest with you,” said the former Rangers player on Talksport.
“I just think it is a distinct lack of respect. I genuinely dislike it intensely.
“If you can’t show respect, I am not talking about England, I am talking about anybody or anybody that goes to Hampden, any football ground or any sporting event.
“If you can’t show the opposition respect by respecting their national anthem, I think it is a poor show.”
Northern Ireland won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Liverpool star Conor Bradley, who has been thrust into the limelight recently on the back of a string of impressive displays for Liverpool.
Some onlookers pointed out that Bradley didn’t sing the anthem on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old from Aghyaran in Tyrone has made a huge breakthrough this year as, in the absence of Trent Alexander Arnold through injury, he has lined out in Liverpool’s back four.
The former Dungannon Swifts player joined the Liverpool academy at a young age, having impressed as both a soccer player and a Gaelic footballer growing up.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently hailed Bradley as a ‘fantastic character,’ with ‘top potential.’
“Fantastic character, a real talent, top potential – and he’s in the right team, because everybody loves him, everybody respects him, everybody wants him to succeed,” said the German.
“Obviously Liverpool has a pretty special connection to Ireland and Northern Ireland,” continued Klopp.
“I’m not sure how many of them are in the stadium but they are waiting for a long time for someone from Northern Ireland to play for the first team and play the way he plays and shows up the way he shows up.”
