Night of despair for Tartan Army

Thousands of fans made the trip in hope of victory

The Tartan Army has descended on Amsterdam to witness Scotland slump to defeat in the Euro 2004 play-off against Holland.

Thousands of football fans, many without tickets, travelled to Holland by plane, train and ferry.

Scotland only had to avoid defeat to book a place in next year's European Championship Finals in Portugal.

The Scots had a foot in the door for Portugal after pulling off an unexpected 1-0 win on Saturday at Hampden Park but were pulled back to 1-1 on aggregate within 15 minutes in Holland.

The Dutch added a second just after the half hour and Ruud van Nistelrooy made it 3-0 just before half time, leaving Scotland with everything to do.

And it was van Nistelrooy who virtually sowed it up with a lob over Rab Douglas on 50 minutes.

It was all about salvaging pride for the Scots but Frank De Boer headed in a fifth from a corner and van Nistelrooy got his hat-trick to make it 6-1 overall.

Everyone in Scotland is rooting for a repeat of Saturday's outstanding performance at Hampden Jack McConnell First Minister

About 12,000 Scottish fans were estimated to have made it into the 52,000-seater Amsterdam ArenA to cheer on their team, with thousands more travelling without tickets.

Touts were thought to be asking prices of up to £500 for a ticket on internet auction sites.

Thousands of fans also packed into pubs in Scotland.

They included Jack Cram, 21, from Cathcart, who said: "I was at the game on Saturday and the atmosphere was amazing - the best I've ever experienced.

"With the amount of Tartan Army fans heading to Holland, I'm sure we'll drown them out over there too."

Bookmakers had dropped Scotland's odds against reaching Euro 2004 after their unexpected first leg win against the Dutch from 4/1 to 13/8.

McFadden made the breakthrough for Scotland on Saturday

As with Saturday's game in Glasgow, political leaders from all ends of the spectrum sent the team their backing.

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Everyone in Scotland is rooting for a repeat of Saturday's outstanding performance at Hampden.

"If the team display the same spirit and play with the same skill I am sure that they will do us proud. Good luck to Berti and the boys."

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney wished the players the best of luck, saying he was "confident that the Scotland team will do the nation proud and win the match".

And Tory leader David McLetchie added his best wishes.

He said: "If we can get more of the same pride, passion, skill and organisation in the Netherlands then the Tartan Army can book their flights to Portugal."