Scotland fan in race to make kick-off in Boston after visa u-turn

A desperate Scotland supporter is on a race against time to reach Boston after his US visa was approved on the eve of Scotland’s World Cup opening match.

Kenny Smith from Inverness was one of the many fans who saw their their Esta travel permits withdrawn without explanation last week.

But after his travel was approved at the US embassy in London on Friday morning, airport delays caused him to narrowly miss his connecting flight in Dublin.

He will spend the night there and hopes to arrive in Boston at 14:45 EST on Saturday, just hours before kick-off at 21:00 (02:00 BST). “Now it is mission critical,” he said.

Smith, who is lead singer with folk rock band Torridon, described the turn of events as “unbelievable”.

“It took ages to get the bags off. I missed my check-in by 15 minutes,” he said.

“I am booked on tomorrow and due to arrive in Boston around 14:45.”