The parents whose boys play in two World Cup teams

For most Scots following the World Cup, who they're supporting isn't even a question.

And football-mad Jack and Heather of Luthermuir in Aberdeenshire have more reason than most fans to be heading to the USA this week.

Their son John is making his World Cup debut in the blue jersey of Scotland.

But that's where things get complicated.

Because their younger son, Harry, is turning out in bright yellow for Australia.

They're proud of both boys and looking forward to watching them play.

But their sons' success means Jack and Heather need to get to two first-round games which are 3000 miles and six days apart.

And they're keeping their fingers crossed and options open should both teams progress.

As Jack says: "It's a big thing, I suppose. We want to support both kids and both countries. Then the ball's in the air for the rest of it."

Both defenders, John now plays at Rangers after stints with Dundee United and Hearts, while Harry - who also started at Tannadice - had a spell at Stoke before joining Leicester City.

John first played for Scotland in 2018 and Harry has been a feature of the Australian national squad since 2019, thanks to mum Heather being born there.

According to their parents, having two sons playing at the highest level means they can enjoy both their successes, and the boys enjoy a friendly and supportive rivalry.

Jack says: "They're fairly close brothers, though there was a bit of scrapping when they were younger. They're always talking to each other about games. They're always looking out for each other, that's for certain."

The beautiful game has played a big part in the lives of all the Souttars.

Jack turned out for Brechin in his youth and the next generation of three sons and two daughters all played and follow the game.

Managing all that took a lot of commitment and organisation over the years.

"I think the big thing is that it was never a task for us," Jack says. "We trained at Dundee twice a week. Then we were going down to Glasgow twice a week and training down there."

The boys' burgeoning careers took them all over the UK, including Dingwall, Fleetwood and Stoke.

"We were all over the country supporting them and, to be fair, we both really enjoy football. It was excellent. We didn't want to be grumpy parents. We treated it as a holiday."

This World Cup is not the family's first.

In 1998, the last time Scotland made it to the finals, Jack was there with oldest son Aaron, among a gang of family friends.

But toddler John was too young to make the trip and stayed at home with Heather, who was heavily pregnant with Harry.

"I never made it," Heather says. "I was very pleased that they went and I said 'well, I'll go to the next one'.

"But here we are, 28 years later for the next one. I've waited a while."

Of course, 28 years later that toddler and baby bump are now playing at the World Cup.

This time, four generations of extended family as well as friends are going, with Heather at the centre organising it all.

Aaron, the oldest of the five siblings, won't be in the USA this year. He died in July 2022 at the age of 42 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

Both players credit their brother with helping shape their careers and talk of him as a role model.

Harry played for Australia at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 but this year marks John's debut.

Two boys, two teams, one family. But what happens if the stars align, Scotland end up playing Australia, and the brothers end up playing against one another?

"I think the feelings are very similar for both the kids," Jack says. "I don't think, because we're from Scotland, our feelings for Harry are any less.

"We're just so proud - as any parent would be - for their kids doing well. In any sport or any walk of life."

For Heather, USA 2026 marks the chance for their family to make some new memories.

"On the football side we'll have new stories, because we've heard the France '98 stories for years, so we'll have lots of new stories and new memories for all the family," she says.

"Memories and stories forever and that's all you can want for families, isn't it?"