Kohli began writing almost immediately after Steve Clarke’s side secured qualification for Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998. He has said Kenny McLean’s goal sparked the idea, turning a decisive football moment into the starting point for a supporters’ anthem.
The song draws on Scotland’s musical football history, from *We’re On The March With Ally’s Army* to *We Have a Dream* and *Don’t Come Home Too Soon*. Its main modern template, however, is Fat Les’ *Vindaloo*, with influences from Underworld and Echo & The Bunnymen. Bagpipes provide the Scottish counterpoint.
That mix gives the track a knowingly boisterous tone rather than a polished pop feel. Kohli’s lyric is designed to sound like something supporters could shout together, not simply something they would hear on the radio.
Kohli hopes Andy Robertson and his team-mates will contribute vocals while they are away at training camp. He has even imagined Clarke using the track around the squad before matches against Haiti, Brazil and Morocco.
Urie brings a different perspective. He has admitted that he was never a committed football fan, although attending matches with comedian Susie McCabe and watching David Marshall’s penalty save helped draw him further into the game. His role in the project reflects the song’s wider appeal: it is intended for curious newcomers as much as lifelong supporters.
The hope is for players and fans to adopt it together, giving Scotland another communal soundtrack for a major tournament.
The next test will be whether *Back In The Game* travels from the studio to the stands. Kohli has also suggested visual appearances from Andy Cameron, John Gordon Sinclair and Justin Currie, while urging Scotland to “go out there and kick our height”.