Asked whether she had backed England, Bird replied: “I was not supporting England the other night, no.”
She explained that Scotland’s absence had created “a really funny momentum in Scotland”, adding: “We've all become really passionate Mexican supporters.” She also suggested that many Scots could support Norway in the next round.
Critics saw the remarks as needlessly hostile. Ben Kentish described them as “beyond pathetic”, while another Scottish commenter called the position “pathetic and embarrassing”. Journalist Andrew Neil also mocked the exchange, joking that Bird would be “too busy burnishing her Norwegian accent” to respond.
Bird’s supporters argue that the reaction proves her point. Pete Wishart defended the comments as normal sporting rivalry, writing: “Every World Cup they feel they can tell us or even bully us into who we should support. It's called 'football rivalry', and for some reason, they will never quite understand it.”
That argument will resonate with supporters who treat international football as an extension of national identity. For others, especially during a major tournament, the expectation is that British teams should receive at least some shared backing.
The wider backdrop is Scotland’s reported group-stage elimination and the departure of manager Steve Clarke, which has left frustration around the national team’s campaign. The disappointment helps explain the emotional tone, even if it does not settle the argument.
The next major tournament will likely bring the same question back: can rivalry remain playful when national pride is involved? For Scotland and England, football’s old divide remains alive well beyond the pitch.