World Cup extended opening hours for Aberdeen pubs

Hospitality businesses in Aberdeen will be allowed extended opening hours for Scotland's matches during the World Cup this summer.

The national team will face Haiti in their first fixture at the tournament for 28 years on 14 June, with kick off at 02:00 UK time.

Both other group matches, against Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June, get under way at 23:00.

A blanket 03:00 closing time extension for the tournament was approved during a meeting of Aberdeen City Council's licensing board on Tuesday morning, with extra time for Scotland games that go beyond that.

Premises will be allowed to remain open until half an hour after the final whistle to allow for drinking up and dispersal.

Licensing board convenor Neil Copland said the city was "really looking forward" to the World Cup.

"It's a major opportunity and we're very happy to support that," he said.

"Hopefully all the fans will be happy."

Restaurants as well as pubs will be able to take advantage of the extended hours.

JJ Gibson, the manager of Durty Murphy's pub in Aberdeen, described the late licensing as "a fantastic idea".

He said: "It is giving people the chance to celebrate. You should have seen the pub when Scotland qualified. It's just a different vibe seeing Scotland doing well.

"I'm looking to get flags, change the lights to blue, have the big screens on and have everyone roaring for Scotland."

Scotland qualified for the World Cup after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The fixture schedule for the tournament, held in Canada, Mexico and the USA, was confirmed by Fifa at an event in Washington DC.

Scotland will face Haiti and Morocco in Boston, Massachusetts, and five-time winners Brazil in Miami, Florida.

Health Secretary Neil Gray previously said the government would work with local authorities to try to ensure supporters did not miss out.

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) described it as a "once-in-a-generation" event.