Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has declared he intends to sing Flower of Scotland before matches after studying the history of his adopted nation.
The 39-year-old Belgian, who is only the second non-Scot to manage the national team, sought out chief football officer Craig Mulholland to learn the meaning behind the country's unofficial national anthem.
Pocognoli learned the story of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, in which Robert the Bruce defeated King Edward II of England. After discovering the historical background, the manager decided he should join supporters in singing the song on matchdays.
"Yeah, I try to understand the anthem," Pocognoli said. "I will do what I feel is the best. And I think that I would like to do it. I will try to do the best with my French accent."
He explained that leading the team at home would deepen his connection with Scottish supporters. "I am quite excited to be at home for the first Hampden game and to just live it and be there," he said. "I think I will feel what Scotland means because right now we are in a bubble. But when we have the Switzerland game, I will really feel part of the family. I hope we will have a great game to have a good start at home."
Upcoming fixtures
Scotland begin their UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday with an away match against Slovenia. They then host Switzerland at Hampden Park next Tuesday in their opening home fixture.
Asked whether joining in with the anthem was appropriate for his new role, Pocognoli embraced the idea of becoming an adopted Scot. "Yeah, I know. I'm very proud of that," he said. "My first feeling is to do it. So, I'm like this. When I have this impression about everything in my life, I just try to follow it. And that's my feeling."
National anthem and team history
Flower of Scotland is a folk song composed by Roy Williamson of The Corries in the 1960s. It has been adopted by sports fans across the nation as Scotland's anthem before international football and rugby matches.
Hampden Park in Glasgow serves as the home stadium for the national team, where supporters known as the Tartan Army gather. Pocognoli is a former Belgian international defender who played professionally across Europe before transitioning into coaching. He is the second foreign national to manage Scotland, following German coach Berti Vogts, who led the side from 2002 to 2004.
