Mixed response as John Swinney addresses Tartan Army crowd on eve of Scotland vs Haiti
The event was attended by a string of A-list Scottish celebrities.
John Swinney was booed by some on stage as he gave a short speech at a star-studded Tartan Army dinner ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup game in 28 years.
Actor Gerard Butler, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd, both sporting a kilt, and singer Clare Grogan were among famous guests joining the First Minister at a Scottish Night in Boston Dinner and Gala Event at the Royale in Boston.
While on stage in front of hundreds of Tartan Army members and former footballers James McFadden and Darren Fletcher, the SNP leader was confronted with a joke by one of the presenters about some Scots “arriving by campervan” to the US for the World Cup.
The quip was in reference the £124,550 Niesmann+Bischoff motorhome, a symbol of SNP scandal after investigations found the luxury vehicle to have been bought using party funds by Peter Murrell, the party's former chief executive and husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Swinney was then asked if he would be returning to the US for the final World Cup game, to which he replied: “Definitely.
“I am going to send a couple of my colleagues for the remaining games, but I am going to reserve my place for the final, and I look forward to Scotland being there.”
The patriotic response was met with cheers and some more boos from the audience.
Mr Swinney also took a moment to congratulate charity fundraiser Craig Ferguson who completed a 3,000-mile kilted walk across the United States in aid of Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) earlier this week.
The 22-year-old started his trek in February in Los Angeles and arrived in Boston to crowds of Scotland fans and the sound of bagpipes at Boston Common on Friday.
“Craig Ferguson’s work has been astonishing,” Mr Swinney told the audience.
“What an amazing achievement from a courageous young man trying to tackle and support mental health challenges in Scotland.”
Also seen arriving at the gala were actors Martin Compston and Tony Curran, ex-rugby player Gregor Townsend and broadcaster Gordon Smart.
Arriving in a tartan-covered car was Mike Mulraney, the president of the Scottish Football Association, and Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the Scottish Premier League.
Susan Boyle was due to sing at the event but had instead recorded a video explaining that she was sorry she could no longer make the evening.
The First Minister is due to attend the Scotland vs Haiti match which kicks off at 9pm local time at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.
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