The Church on the Hill

The nation let out a collective groan last Friday as the harsh reality of being a Scotland fan hit home once again. It wasn’t just that the result – a 1-0 defeat to Georgia, ranked 116 places below us – was disappointing. The real sickener was the manner of the performance: it was gutless, inept, limper than a week-old spinach leaf.

Long-standing members of the Tartan Army are used to it, of course. But with the world champions due in Glasgow two days later, there was no time to wallow in misery.

The German Nationalmannschaft’s travelling supporters filled the City Centre’s pubs on Monday, as a familiar feeling of nervous hope rose among the home fans. It is difficult to remain completely cynical when your team are about to face the world number ones.

An hour before kick-off, The Church on the Hill was the sweaty, shouty centre of Scottish hope.

The pub, which sits across from Queen’s Park on the border between Shawlands and Battlefield, has one of the best beer gardens in the Southside and it heaved with kilted Tartan Army footsoldiers; many red faces betrayed a long day of drinking in the late summer sun.

Inside was chaos. Deafening mass renditions of Rod Stewart, Simple Minds and Flower of Scotland filled the room.

Songs about Diego Maradona rang out, much to the bemusement of the Germans. Sweat was dripping off the ceiling and down the walls.

We waded through spilled pints to get to the bar, and raised our glasses with the visitors, indulging in the kind of heartwarming camaraderie that just doesn’t happen in club football – or even between most sets of international fans.

The valiant defeat that followed was almost inevitable, but a battling performance ensured that the Church on the Hill and Shawlands itself remained busy and boisterous long into the night.

We might never be world champions of football, but in the weeknight bevvying stakes we are unrivalled. Which is just as good, when you think about it.

The Church on the Hill

Q: Describe being a Scotland supporter in one word?

1. Chris McGovern, 29, Battlefield, Variable

Andrew Brown, 29, Neilston, Passionate

Lisa Brown, 21, Neilston, Optimistic

2. Stuart Brown, 26, Edinburgh, Hopeful

Calum McIlraith, 18, Glasgow, Optimistic

3. Dougie McGlynn, 29, Kilmarnock, Stressful

Rory Kane, 28, Kilmarnock, Traumatic

4. Scott Donaldson, 29, Kilmarnock, Passionate

Martin “Braveheart” Barclay, 28, Kilmarnock, I’ll give you two words: mixed emotions.

5. Steven McNeill, 27, Kilmarnock, Rollercoaster

6. Laura Anderson, 27, Glasgow

Favourite Club? Viper

Favourite Bar? Big Slope

Favourite DJ? Barrientos

Favourite Band? Oasis

What You Drinking? Gin & Tonic

First Club? ABC

Describe Your Dancing? Super good fun

7. Eillan Green, 27, Achiltibuie, Brilliant

Gilleagbuig MacDonald, 30, Skye, No – it’s impossible.

8. Neil Beaton, 28, Skye, Hope.