\n<\/p>\n
Love can be found in the most obscure ways.<\/b><\/p>\n
Romance may spark over a couple of nervous swipes on an app, or perhaps even an old-fashioned shy glance across a crowded bar.<\/p>\n
According to Rihanna, it also can be discovered if you hunt hard enough in a hopeless place.<\/p>\n
But on a humid summer evening in southern Florida, Cupid’s arrows were flying faster than a Hank Aaron swing in the unlikely romantic setting of the third floor concourse of LoanDepot Park, somewhere near the fried chicken stall.<\/p>\n
Amid the cacophony of “We’ve Got McGinn…” booming through the marching crowd at Miami Marlins v Texas Rangers, one lady smiled, while holding a sign at her target audience as they engulfed her.<\/p>\n
“Looking for a Scot” was the simple message etched next to a saltire and a Cuban flag with a kiss. It worked instantly.<\/p>\n
The fact she snagged a cuddle off a passing and opportunistic Tartan Army foot soldier shows the direct approach sometimes works.<\/p>\n
Whether he remembers it until he reads this is another thing.<\/p>\n
While not everyone in the US has gone to the trouble of scrawling their love for the Tartan Army on a bit of cardboard, the warmth towards the invading Scots during this World Cup burns hotter than the searing Florida sun.<\/p>\n
Here, it was another city, another ball game featuring the Texas Rangers, another invasion and another iconic night of rampant revelry.<\/p>\n
Years of relentless school games of rounders are being put to extremely good use by the Scotland support, who bounced into their second ball game in a little over a week.<\/p>\n
This time the iconic and antique bleachers of Fenway Park in Boston were swapped for this domed colosseum in the heart of downtown Miami.<\/p>\n
Outside, Nick Morgan played his anthem “No Scotland No Party” on stage to thousands of Scots in a blurry sea of bedlam and perspiration.<\/p>\n
Inside, the star of the mercifully air-conditioned show wasn’t giant mascot Billy the Marlin. It was wee Billy the Scot.<\/p>\n
The Tartan Army, who helped swell the crowd to 20,008 – the biggest Monday night gathering under this roof since 2017 – rose to their feet pre-match as Billy Gilmour emerged from the side of the field.<\/p>\n
With a brace around his knee and a Marlins top around his chest, the injured Scotland and Napoli midfielder slowly hobbled to the mound, took his time, then hurled the ceremonial first pitch.<\/p>\n
It was met with the gusto and celebration normally reserved for a statue being crowned with an orange traffic cone. Oor Billy grinned from ear to ear as he waved back to the crowd before hobbling back off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n