A goat has offered his prediction for Scotland's crucial Euro 2024 match against Switzerland on Wednesday night.
Steve Clarke's side were thrashed 5-1 by Germany in their opening match of the tournament, meaning defeat in Cologne would eliminate them in all but a mathematic sense.
Ahead of the game, the local zoo asked Hennes, the mascot of FC Köln, to 'predict' the outcome by kicking one of three yellow balls - one with the Saltire, one with the Swiss flag and one with the Euro 2024 logo to indicate a draw.
READ MORE | Scotland's Euro fever: Farmer Aly prepares in tractor
Hennes the goat predicts Scotland will beat Switzerland (Image: Newsquest)
READ MORE | Farmers back national team: Euro bound
The goat, of the Bunte Deutsche Edelziege breed, initially appeared to waver over his choice and had a brief fight with his trainer, but eventually placed his hoof firmly on the ball to indicate Scotland.
Hennes the goat, mascot of FC Köln, makes his prediction for tonight’s game… after a fashion
— Herald Sport (@HeraldSportScot) June 19, 2024
In association with @DXHomeImp pic.twitter.com/ssO5P5SgeF
Hennes is in fact Hennes IX, the club having had a goat mascot since 1950 with all being named after Hennes Weisweiler, FC Köln's first coach.
READ MORE | East of Scotland farmers rally for Euro 2024 big game
The German comedy film Die Superbullen is premised on the goat being kidnapped, with policemen Tommie and Mario tasked with getting him back.
Hennes' powers as a good luck mascot are not ironclad, however - FC Köln were relegated from the Bundesliga last season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here