SFA in talks with Boston officials over biannual friendly match

BBC Scotland has learned that the SFA is in active discussions aimed at a biannual friendly match being held in Boston.

Scotland played two World Cup matches in the US city during the summer and now the governing body and the state of Massachusetts are in talks aimed at building the bonds made between locals and the Tartan Army, through football.

More discussions are due to take place between the SFA and a delegation of state senators ahead of Scotland's Nations League match against North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday.

It has not yet been decided who will play in the game but BBC Scotland understands it will involve the Scoland national team.

US state senator Paul Feeney has been in the UK this week for talks around energy, but wanted to visit Scotland to build on the bonds made between the Tartan Army and those who partied with them for two weeks in June.

The state of Massachusetts has also passed a bill aimed at strengthening ties with Scotland after an estimated 25,000 fans partied in Boston and surrounding areas.

'More than just a football match'

"We felt that this summer was more than just a football match, more than just, you know, 90 minutes at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough," Feeney said.

"It was a couple of weeks of these relationships being held, and you don't see that often. And I'm glad we got to experience it. And, frankly, we don't want that to end."

He added: "One of the things that we've been active on in Massachusetts today is to kind of take the lessons that we've learned, put together the best practices, and say, ok, we understand that we can't have a World Cup every year, but where we have such a strong connection with people in Scotland, could we do some sort of invitational tournament?

"To have that cultural exchange to kind of prop up economic development, and more than that, just to come together, have a few drinks, and enjoy each other's company."

Feeney said the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to support the concept.

"We're trying to work that through the legislature, get it to the finish," he said.

Talks aimed at organising a regular fixture are at an early stage but the SFA is already in advanced negotiations with businesses in Massachusetts about investment in the Scottish game.

"The Tartan Army invaded Massachusetts and I have to say they lit a spark that set off fireworks," Massachusetts Senate president Karen Spilka told BBC Scotland.

"They were sorely missed by so many people when they left.

"I think that by making the effort to come here and meet people and talk about tourism and economic development, we can start talking about things like Tartan Day and maybe having other events going on."