France ’98 revisited: tears, Tartan Army and that opening game with Brazil
6/13/202626 min
Scotland’s last World Cup appearance still hits hard - and here, the voices who lived it take us right back. Joined by Saturday Show presenters Amy Irons and Steven Mill, Kevin Gallacher and Darren Jackson relive the emotion of France ’98. From lining up beside Ronaldo on at the opening game against Brazil to the noise, nerves and unforgettable atmosphere, it’s all here. There’s pride, pain and plenty of stories — from Craig Brown’s leadership to the Tartan Army following Scotland across France. With reflections on near-misses and heartbreak, this is a powerful look back at a defining moment in Scottish football history.
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First 90 secondsDarren Jackson· Guest0:00
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. [electronic tone] What do Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney- YouTube megastar MrBeast- and former Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg all have in common?
Amy Irons· Host0:13
They're all being discussed in the new season of Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast which explores the lives and fortunes of the world's super rich.
Darren Jackson· Guest0:20
That's Good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service.
Amy Irons· Host0:22
Listen now. Search for Good Bad Billionaire wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Speaker 30:26
[electronic tone] The Scottish Football Podcast.
Speaker 4· Soundbite0:31
[upbeat music] [bagpipe music] [crowd cheering] Tonight, the pipes will have some competition as Paris plays host to a spectacular eve-of-tournament sound and light show.
Speaker 5· Soundbite0:42
Oh, Scotland.
Speaker 4· Soundbite0:43
Many Scots fans here have no tickets, at least for the Brazilian game, and they're stretching the public drinking laws to the limit. But so far, there are few problems, and instead friendships are being struck up with tomorrow's opponents.
Speaker 6· Soundbite0:54
No problems.
Steven Mill· Host0:56
No, brother, no problem.
Speaker 6· Soundbite0:56
We drink all night together.
Steven Mill· Host0:58
Yes.
Speaker 6· Soundbite0:58
Brazilians and Scots, the only two peoples who make parties here.
Steven Mill· Host1:02
Best of friends.
Speaker 5· Soundbite1:03
Can I just prove to my girl I'm here, please?
Speaker 4· Soundbite1:05
These gardens below the Eiffel Tower are known as the Champ de Mars, but for the moment, and probably at least until tomorrow's big kickoff, they've become a kind of fortress Scotland.
Amy Irons· Host1:14
Scotland. [whooshing] Kevin, Darren, it is lovely to see the two of you as we edge ever closer to Scotland playing their first World Cup game since 1998. You're two of the players that were there last time in France. How are you feeling, Kevin? Are the memories still as