Rain fails to dampen spirits as TRNSMT festival becomes World Cup fan zone

Pouring rain hasn't dampened the spirits of Scotland fans as they prepare to watch a crucial World Cup match at the country's biggest music festival.

Anticipation is building among supporters both at home and in the US as Steve Clarke's team prepare to take on Morocco in Boston.

After defeating Haiti 1-0 last Saturday, another victory would guarantee qualification from the group stages for the first time - and a draw would almost certainly secure a place in the last 32.

The match will be shown in pubs and fan zones across the county - with the biggest crowd gathering at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, which will show the match on huge screens from 23:00 BST.

Tens of thousands of members of the Tartan Army will also be watching the action in Boston.

TRNSMT's organisers DF Concerts secured a late licence to broadcast the match into the early hours of Saturday, despite concerns from local residents.

Geoff Ellis, the chief executive of DF Concerts, called for a "sea of saltires" at the festival - but the early hours of the event were dominated by a plethora of ponchos as fans tried to stay dry.

Steven Aitken and Clare Dolan said the downpour reminded them of past trips to TRNSMT's predecessor T in the Park.

They had booked tickets for the festival and said the football was a bonus.

"If we get an early goal it'll be amazing and even if we lose the place is going to be bouncing.

"It's Scotland, we're used to the weather!"

Friends Brooke, Lewis and Megan were using Scotland flags to try and shelter from the weather, but were confident of a Scottish victory later.

"If Scotland don't win then we'll still celebrate as if they did," they said.

Headline act Richard Ashcroft is due to finish by 22:15, instead of the typical curfew of about 23:00.

Once the former Verve singer wraps up, pre-match entertainment will then take over.

Singer and piper Cammy Barnes - who opened the festival just after midday - will be back on stage to play Flower of Scotland on the pipes just before the match kicks off.

He told BBC Scotland News he was pleased to have the unique distinction of being the only act to ever open and close the festival on the same day.

And he said he was honoured to be trusted with playing Flower of Scotland.

"When you cut the pipes off and the audience keeps singing, that moment can never be touched. It's a proper hair up on your arms moment.

"It's typical Scottish weather today but it's no bothering anybody."

Other acts performing on Friday include indie rock band Wolf Alice, veteran funk star Nile Rodgers and psychedelic rock band the Beta Band, who reformed last year after more than two decades away.

There will be other fanzones across the length and breadth of the country

In Glasgow large music venues like the OVO Hydro, Saint Luke's and the O2 Academy are all screening the match, though they require tickets for entry, as are Dundee's LiveHouse and the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy

In Aberdeen, fans can flock to the places like the city's Beach Ballroom while the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh will show the fixture on a large screen.

Scores of smaller venues - like rugby and tennis clubs - are also hosting watch parties.

Pubs are also eagerly anticipating bumper crowds, after a hugely successful Saturday for the Haiti game.

Earlier this week Louise MacLean of the Signature Pub Group told BBC Scotland it had been an incredible night.

She said: "My lord, did those tills ring. We had record breaking sales. That is a gift to a trade that has been so damaged over the past few years.

"We've had people flying in from Europe for this. I can't imagine that anyone who stayed open won't have had an incredible night."

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated earlier this week that Scotland's group games could generate an additional £7m for pubs and bars, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be poured out during the game.

Almost all of Scotland's councils, who approve extensions to licensing rules, have allowed pubs and clubs to stay open to show the games despite them often continuing beyond normal closing times.

A win for Scotland against Morocco - who drew 1-1 with Brazil last Saturday in their opening game - will guarantee progression into the next round with a game to spare.

It will also mean Scotland have a great chance of going through as one of the top two sides in the group.

With the eight best third placed sides, out of 12 groups, also going through, a draw is likely to be enough too. That would leave Scotland sitting on four points.

A loss would leave Scotland possibly needing a result against five times world champions Brazil in their final group game next Wednesday in Miami to progress, or else face an anxious wait on results from other groups.