Family plans applause tribute for Scotland fan who died at World Cup

News imageFamily handout Donny Strathie died while he was in Boston for the World CupFamily handout
Donny Strathie was set to attend his first ever Scotland World Cup match on Friday

Friends and family of a 76-year-old Scotland fan who died at a hotel in Boston plan to remember him with a minute's applause.

Long-serving Tartan Army member Donny Strathie, from Grangemouth, collapsed at the Boston Norwood Hampton Inn on Sunday.

The fixture against Morocco on Friday would have been his first time at a Scotland World Cup game.

Strathie's family is asking fans at Boston Stadium to pay tribute to a "real Tartan Army character" with applause during the 76th minute of the match.

He had been in Boston with friends and family members who had travelled from Canada to watch the game.

News imageFamily handout Members of the Tartan ArmyFamily handout
Strathie was a devoted Tartan Army member and Falkirk supporter

Family friend Lynne Connell told BBC News that he had been "so excited about seeing Scotland since they qualified".

She said: "We thought what can we do to try and get Donny to the game.

"So, we basically has this idea about the 76th minute campaign - trying to bring Donny there in spirit."

Strathie and Lynne Connell's father, Stewart Easton, were best friends and grew up watching Scotland and Falkirk - where he was a season ticket holder.

They travelled together with the Tartan Army - taking in games in Wembley, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Malta and Lithuania.

News imageFamily of Donny Strathie Two members of the tartan army drinkiung beer on a busFamily of Donny Strathie
Stewart Easton and Donny Strathie travelled the world watching Scotland

As well as the tribute during the Morocco game, Strathie's family hopes to remember him outside the hotel where he died.

On Friday morning a bagpipe player will play Flower of Scotland in tribute.

"He was such a friendly guy," added Lynne.

"Donny was one of these real, Tartan Army-type characters. He was such a people person, always got a story - usually a very funny story.

"A real family guy."

Additional reporting by Stephanie Abbot.