Remember When… We Went To France ‘98

Football Daily

BBC

Sports, Soccer

4.3 • 4.6K Ratings

🗓️ 2 June 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In June 1998, Scotland kicked off the World Cup in Paris against the defending champions, Brazil. For the fans that were there, it was a day that they would never forget - and one that’s become Scottish football folklore after years of heartbreak. Rick Edwards is joined by Gordon, Paul and Iain to hear about that halcyon summer following their team across France and what marked the end of an era.

02:18 - Remembering the Scotland squad that qualified for the 1998 World Cup 05:10 - Being in the Tartan Army throughout the 70s, 80s & 90s 10:00 - Tartan Armies in other countries 13:37 - Scotland face Brazil in the opening game 17:30 - Iain “borrowing” the flag at Bannockburn 20:00 - Kick-off in the Stade de France 22:20 - That Tom Boyd own goal 25:08 - Taking on Norway in Bordeaux 27:45 - Disaster in the final game against Morocco 30:05 - The end of an era for Scotland 34:03 - Fond memories of France in 1998 37:04 - Looking ahead to World Cup 2026 for Scotland

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.
0:07.0	Hello and welcome to Remember When, the show that brings together football fans to talk about the seismic moments that shape their team's history and had a massive impact on their own lives as well.
0:16.5	We're here to talk about the stories, the memories, the moments that unite us as football fans, wherever we're from and whoever we support. I'm Rick Edwards and today we're going back to the
0:25.4	last time Scotland went to the World Cup, the summer of 1998. The tartan army set out on the
0:31.2	long march from the Baudu Boulogne at breakfast time, full of hope and defiance, but privately
0:35.8	expecting nothing better than a draw. After failing to reach the World Cup for the first time in 24 years in 1994,
0:41.3	Scotland were back on the world stage.
0:44.3	Qualifying hadn't been easy, they'd finished behind Austria,
0:47.3	but went through as the best runners up in Europe.
0:49.3	And under the guidance of Craig Brown, there was really excitement
0:52.3	that this Scotland team could be the first to reach the knockouts. In keeping with the patriotic fervour of their fans, there was really excitement that this Scotland team could be the first to
0:54.4	reach the knockouts. In keeping with the patriotic fervor of their fans, the Scottish team
0:58.3	arrived wearing kilts. The sight is strange to the French as the opening ceremony was to just
1:02.8	about everyone else. They were drawn against defending champions Brazil for a fourth time,
1:07.5	who they'd face in the opening game of the tournament at the Stad de France in Paris.
1:14.1	For better and worse, it would be an unforgettable day. The Tartan Arby! It's flawed with John Collins scores as the 11th goal for Scotland.
1:21.7	It is a moment to treasure, a moment of which legends are born.
1:25.8	Unbelievably, it's Brazil one, Scotland won.
1:30.3	So today we're jumping on the Eurostar and heading to Paris in the company of three Scots who were there,
1:35.0	because this is remember when we went to France 98.
1:38.3	He's a bit late.
1:39.2	He makes the seven, and go!
	...

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