Motherwell ace Stephen O'Donnell hoping to star for Scotland in front of thousands of fans at Wembley

Monday’s announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that thousands of spectators could be back in English sports grounds by mid May was music to the ears of Stephen O’Donnell.
Scotland celebrate qualifying for the Euros (Pic by Getty Images)Scotland celebrate qualifying for the Euros (Pic by Getty Images)
Scotland celebrate qualifying for the Euros (Pic by Getty Images)

The Motherwell and Scotland defender, a regular starter as our national team memorably sealed qualification for this summer’s European Championships, hopes to line up for our Bravehearts at Wembley Stadium on June 18 in our second group game which is sandwiched between Hampden contests against the Czech Republic and Croatia on June 14 and June 22 respectively.

Johnson said that a return of fans south of the border from May 17 would see English venues initially limited to 10,000 or 25% of capacity, whichever is smaller.

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On the prospect of lining up at Wembley in four months time, O’Donnell said: “First and foremost I don’t want to be in the stand. I don’t want to be one of the fans.

"If I’m on the pitch or on the bench it would make it such a different occasion having the fans there. It will be special regardless.

"It’s been a long time. It would be great if the fans were in. Everybody is fed up of it (having no fans at games) but we need to try and stick to it because it’s the right thing to do.

"People want to get back to the stadiums. They want to be watching Scotland in the Euros for the first time in 20-odd years.

"It would be special if they were in but the players won’t lack motivation and I’m sure we’ll be doing everything we can for the country.”