Scotland is split on England at the World Cup – incensed or indifferent | Ewan Murray

Ally McCoist caused ripples after showing delight at England’s progress, but from pub cheers for England to drinkers wearing opposition shirts, varied attitudes are on display

There is a beautiful irony attached to Scotland’s star of this World Cup emerging from a commentary box. Ally McCoist – naturally warm, naturally quick-witted – would always be a television success. So many of his colleagues in Russia, whether through launching into “we”, “our” and “us” vernacular or displaying a brand of jingoism typically reserved for royal weddings, have had Scots contemplating violence towards television sets. You’d be far more inclined to discover ill-will towards Ian Wright and Martin Keown in Edinburgh than would be the case for Gareth Southgate.

Related: ‘Can they? Yes. Will they? No’ – how other nations rate England’s hopes

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