Sir Rod Stewart was pictured celebrating Scotland’s World Cup victory in the stands at Boston stadium – just hours after cancelling a gig due to illness.
On Saturday, the 81-year-old rocker told fans he was ‘disappointed’ but too unwell to perform on the night he was due on stage for the latest leg of his One Last Time tour.
A post shared to Instagram from his team read: “Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California. He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening.”
View 5 Images(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
Hours later, the Maggie Mit hitmaker was seen at Scotland’s first game of the World Cup at Boston Stadium, Foxborough against Haiti.
He shared a video to Instagram revealing he’d taken a private jet with his sons Alistair and Liam to get tto the match.
“Here we are off to see Scotland in the World Cup. It’s been 28 years. And these kids, I’ve told them about it but they’ve never been,” said Rod.
5View 5 ImagesRod’s team announced he was too unwell to perform on stage and would have to cancel(Image: Instagram/ @sirrodstewart)
5View 5 ImagesHe shared a photo of the empty auditorium before heading off to Boston (Image: Instagram/ @sirrodstewart)
“I’ve been to seven World Cups,” said Rod. “We want to get through to the next round and I’ll die a happy man. So go on Scotland!” he cried as his sons joined in his rallying cry.
The trio then began a chorus of: “No Scotland no party!”
After sharing the post to Instagram, one fan replied: “Missed you last night in San Diego Rod- we hope you are doing better!!”
“Seems like he is on the mend,” responded another with a wink emoji.
Joining Rod and his clan to make the journey to the game were Scotland’s First minister John Swinney, actor Gerard Butler and singer Clare Grogan.
View 5 ImagesRod and his sons sang ‘No Scotland no party!’ as they got in the mood for the World Cup group game on their private jet(Image: instagram.com/sirrodstewart)
The Scots were pushed all the way as they held on to defeat the Caribbean nation – more than 40 places beneath them in the world rankings – 1-0 through a deflected first-half goal from John McGinn.
It was Scotland’s first win at the global showpiece since a 2-1 victory over Sweden at Italia 90 and their first at any major tournament since they beat Switzerland 1-0 at Euro 96.
A goal from John McGinn secured the Scots their first World Cup win in 36 years and sent them to the top of a star-studded Group C.
Although Rod was born in London, his late father, Robert Stewart, was born in Leith, Edinburgh. The rock star considers Scotland his “spiritual home” and is incredibly proud of his Scottish roots. He has also been a fan of Celtic since around the age of 30, after meeting the legendary manager Jock Stein. He holds a lifetime seat at Parkhead and frequently flies on a private jet to watch their matches.
Rod wasn’t the only one getting in the mood on Saturday. Susan Boyle shared a message of support for the national football team ahead of their first game at the World Cup telling them: “You can do this.”
In a video shared on Saturday, Boyle wore a fur coat before proudly revealing the national football team shirt and said: “No Scotland no party.”
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The BGT star captioned the video: “I had a dream! Scotland has a dream! You can do this!”