World Cup fever is gripping pupils of all ages and excitement is high as the men’s national team embark on their three group matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.

Children from Canberra Primary School, East Kilbride, typified the patriotic fervour and whole-hearted encouragement emanating from every school as the nation seeks to carry the players forward on a wave of support.

Head Teacher Angela Heasman said: “Everyone at Canberra PS is right behind the Scotland players and sending massive wishes of good luck to them for all their games at this World Cup.

“This is the first time in the pupils’ lives that Scotland has reached the World Cup finals and the excitement around the school is huge. We are so proud of the team and will be cheering them on all the way.”

Those sentiments are echoed across South Lanarkshire schools as hopes and prayers are sent the way of Cathkin HS former pupil Kenny McLean and Hamilton’s Lewis Ferguson and their teammates as they seek to progress from the group stages for the first time ever.

Lyndsay McRoberts, the council’s Executive Director (Education Resources), said: “I’ve been hearing continuously of all the World Cup events, themes and activities that have been taking place at our schools and it has been wonderful to see this fervour filling everyone.

“The support for the team is incredible the excitement of the pupils and staff is uplifting. The backing of South Lanarkshire’s schools for the Scotland team has the power to be ‘coming down the road’ all the way to the US. Go Scotland!”