Actually most English people would - not so much the younger generations these, but from my experience any pub you go in down in England will be supporting any side from the home nations, including the Republic during their qualifying campaigns. It actually pisses me off. I remember my grandad talking about watching Scotland during the world cups in 74 and 78 when England didn't qualify and how when he was watching them he said he didn't feel any different to supporting England, even though he wasn't Scottish. I even remember him saying how gutted he was for having no one to support when no home nations qualified for Euro 2008
A nation of 3.3 millions who have won the World Cup Twice and are the most successfull country in the Copa America, winning 7 more titles than Brazil and one more than Argentina. Losing to Uruguay or 4 times Champions Italy is no shame... losing to Serbia and Wales (twice) and failing to qualify is shameful.
I enjoy watching Scotland not qualify, but if they did qualify I would look forward to watching them play. Personally, I would love a world cup again where England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all qualified with the Republic stuck at home
My great grandmother was Irish too - but I like to believe Ireland was a very different place back then - not a terrorist haven like it is now. I'm deeply ashamed of my Irish roots because of what Ireland stands for in the 21st Century and what it stood for in the 20th Century ie Terrorism and death to anything English or British.
It's boring when your club/country are not in it. I count down the seconds to CL matches when we're playing and I count down the seconds when England play in WC/Euros
You'd be surprised about how many English people support NI; Scotland and Wales. I remember when Scotland played Italy in the 2008 World Cup qualifiers where they could have qualified, and in my pub everyone was gutted Scotland failed to make it. Unfortunately, England fans also tend to support the Republic too.
Completely different, as the Republic is a foreign country whereas England is a fellow British country. HOWEVER, England and Scotland are footballing rivals so I can understand Scottish people not wanting their rivals to do well.
The European Cup and Champions League should be classified as two different competitions with separate recognition for both, you can't compare the two in my opinion. Winning the CL is much tougher and worthy than winning the European Cup format.
I think they'd be a little disappointed with the relegation of their fellow terrorists Hibernian. As even though they will probably comfortably beat Hamilton, Hamilton will at least make septic work for it, whereas Hibs would always roll over time and time again for septic.