Liverpool city centre was packed with Scotland fans ahead of the World Cup warm up match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
17:03, 31 Mar 2026
Scotland fans outside Coopers(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Scotland fans shared their love for Scousers ahead of the national side’s game against Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium this evening.
The friendly fixture, which will kick-off at 7.30pm, will be the first occasion that the home of Everton men’s team has hosted an international football game. It will act as a warm-up for this summer’s World Cup. Both sides have qualified for the tournament, which will be staged across Canada, the USA and Mexico. Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson could both feature for Scotland in tonight’s match.
Mathew Street was lined with Scotland fans just before 2pm, with constant chanting for midfielders Scott McTominay and John McGinn.
Among them was Ben Mackie, 20, from Larkhall, a town 14 miles southeast of Glasgow which he affectionately referred to as “God’s county”. He and his mates arrived in Liverpool at 9.20am this morning.
Scotland fans on Mathew Street, including Ben Mackie (second from left) and Niall Reagan (first from right) with the Hamilton chopped pork banner(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Ben was loving spending time with Scousers. He said: “They’re quite similar to Scottish boys. We like a drink, we like to laugh. I’ve been here a couple of times for nights out.”
His friend Niall Reagan, 26, agreed. He said: “I like the accent, I like everything – they get us and we get you.”
Niall even offered the ECHO a local delicacy – butty with chopped Hamilton pork on it. He had a picture of the pork on a flag he was planning on displaying in the ground.
Niall said it was a good time to be supporting Scotland. He said: “It’s the best I’ve ever seen Scotland play, it’s outstanding.”
Niall said he had forked out around £20,000 to go to the World Cup this summer, which included 10 nights in New York and six nights in Miami. Many others had similar tales for the tournament, which is being held across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Arnie Friedrichson, 69, from Edinburgh, agreed, adding: “(Scousers) like a laugh and having a good drink.”
Arnie Friedrichson on Mathew Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Arnie was proudly wearing his kilt and had no qualms about tonight’s game only being a friendly match. He said: “It’s a thing you do. When you’ve been following Scotland since 1969, it’s a thing you do. It’s the Scotland atmosphere. Everywhere we go, we have fun and interact with the locals.
“It’s a great time to be a Scotland fan. We’re going to the World Cup. We’re not going to win it, but we’ll have fun.
The affection for Scousers was shared by Scots in Concert Square, where the outdoor areas were packed out with fans. John Drury, 23 and Scott McGrory, 25, said they would be doing The Beatles tour later today. Meanwhile, an elderly man played the bagpipes.
Scotland fans enjoying a beer in Concert Square(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
But the livelist location of them all was Coopers Townhouse, the Cases Street pub famous for its karaoke sessions.
As the ECHO spoke to James Milne, 41, from Shetland, and Andy Irvine, 32, from Paisley, outside the venue, a line of Scotland fans emerged from inside the pub. They started doing the conga into Clayton Square Shopping Centre and high fiving passers-by.
James said Coopers was “class”, with Andy adding: “I’ve been here for three days.”
Scotland fans outside Coopers Townhouse in Liverpool city centre, with Andy Irvine (second from left) and James Milne (fourth from left)(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Both also shared their affection for Scousers. James said: “It’s my first time in Liverpool. It’s amazing. I love the accent. It’s just an extended city of Scotland.”
Andy added: “I love how sound you all are. I’d take Liverpool if we went independent.”
James was full of praise for Roberton too. He said: “He’s one one of the best left-backs I’ve seen. One of the best for Scotland anyway. I know a lot of Liverpool fans say they would have him in their team over anyone.”