Glasgow Tartan Army reflect on trip of a lifetime as Scotland's World Cup slips away

Scotland supporters who had travelled to the United States for their nation's World Cup campaign are reflecting on an unforgettable journey as their World Cup dream has slipped away. The Tartan Army's fate was sealed on Saturday night after Croatia's 2-1 victory over Ghana confirmed the Scots would not progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams to reach the last 32.

James McFarlane, a 29-year-old lawyer, was returning to Glasgow with his father George, a 67-year-old retired engineer. James said: "We had the chart up with all the results we needed to go in our favour and yesterday we just sat and watched them all disappear one by one. Hopefully we will still get there but I'm not sure. It's looking pretty unlikely now. The result put a dampener on things but we've still really enjoyed the experience out here. The fact that we are out here has just been class."

George added: "We watched the Germany game last night hoping for Ecaudor to get beat. The place was full of people from Ecaudor so there was a good atmosphere in the place - but we were the only ones wanting the other team to win. But the atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant from start to finish. The fans have been fantastic, it's just the goal difference that has killed us."

Gordon Mains, a 55-year-old engineer director from Bishopbriggs, travelled with his wife Marie, 48, and their son Lewis, 11. He said: "It has been a big shame. We've had a brilliant time in Miami though. We've thoroughly enjoyed it. We were lucky enough to get tickets to see us play at the Hard Rock Stadium. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible."

Scotland had claimed three points from their opening victory over Haiti but suffered defeats to Morocco and Brazil, leaving them with a minus three goal difference that ultimately proved insufficient for qualification.