Injured Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour delighted thousands of travelling supporters by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Miami Marlins baseball game on Monday evening. The Napoli playmaker, visibly wearing a brace on his knee, slowly made his way to the mound at LoanDepot Park before hurling the opening throw to a thunderous reception from the Tartan Army.
The gathering of 20,008 fans marked the stadium’s largest Monday night attendance since 2017, with Scottish supporters helping to swell the crowd for the Major League Baseball fixture against the Texas Rangers. Gilmour grinned broadly as he waved to the appreciative audience, temporarily setting aside his rehabilitation to share in a unique cultural exchange.
The Scotland contingent fully embraced the occasion, with the St Andrews Pipe Band of Miami providing musical entertainment and supporters creating a carnival atmosphere inside the domed stadium. Among the crowd was Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland midfielder John McGinn, who enjoyed a memorable moment when he caught a stray baseball that rebounded off a metal railing during play.
Attention turns to decisive Brazil clash
The evening of American sport comes ahead of a crucial assignment on Wednesday, when Scotland face Brazil in their final Group C match at the World Cup. The fixture represents the Tartan Army’s last opportunity to influence their tournament destiny, with the outcome potentially determining whether their American adventure continues into the knockout stages.
Gilmour’s absence from the training pitch underlines the fitness concern facing manager Steve Clarke, with the former Rangers academy graduate currently unavailable for selection due to the knee problem. His appearance at the baseball stadium offered fans a chance to see the player despite his inability to feature on the field.
The massive turnout of Scottish supporters in Miami underlines the remarkable following the national team has attracted during the tournament. With over 20,000 fans present at the Marlins game alone, the Tartan Army will hope to carry that vocal backing into Wednesday’s crucial encounter as they seek to extend their World Cup campaign.