Prestwick man Kai Skeoch received a pre-tournament pep-talk involving the biggest name on TV, manager of the top international team in world football, and the Scotland hero whose goals paved the way for qualification for the first time in 23 years – as he prepares to support Steve Clarke’s Scotland side at EURO 2020.

Line of Duty star Martin Compston, joined John McGinn, Belgian boss Roberto Martinez and James McFadden to inspire Glasgow’s EURO 2020 volunteer team as they prepare to stage four matches at Hampden next month.

The A-listers engaged with the volunteers in an exclusive training video designed to inspire and motivate the ‘team behind the team’ as they begin their preparations.

Masters student Kai Skeoch, who is also a SFA qualified Category 4 development referee, was thrilled to receive a call up to support the national team this summer. As a Match Organisation Volunteer, Kai will operate within a special team that will play a pivotal role in delivering Hampden Park’s four EURO 2020 matches by assisting in setting up the dressing rooms, competition areas and match material.

Speaking about the excitement of being confirmed as a volunteer, Kai said: “I was delighted to find out that I had been offered a role for the tournament. I had been really looking forward to hearing back and enjoyed the interview and application process. Then when I found out I had been given a Matchday Organisation Volunteer role my excitement grew even more, knowing I would be in the stadium for matchdays and training days and be as close to the action as possible was a dream. It’s a situation that not many people can say they have been in and something I hope to be able to recount for years to come.”

Highlighting the importance of volunteers, Line of Duty star Martin Compston, said: “They are the face of Scotland and the face of the tournament – the point of contact for so many people. For all these volunteers who are making this massive operation behind the scenes a reality and making all of us relaxed so that we can just sit down and watch it on the TV – a massive thank you!

“I still in some ways don’t feel like this is real, Scotland is hosting a EUROs, and Scotland is playing in it. To say you’re going to be a part of it is something you will keep with you for the rest of your life.”

Current Scotland favourite John McGinn added: “The volunteers are just as important as us to show that we are capable of hosting an event like this. Hopefully they can enjoy the experience, and this can be a highlight of what has been a difficult year and a half.”

Describing his main motivation for registering to volunteer, Kai explained: “I would say the inspiration behind signing up was being a part of such a big event. It’s not often something like this comes to Scotland, or the UK in general, so being able to say I was a part of (UEFA) EURO 2020 in its anniversary year as well. It’s not often you can say you have been such a central part and been involved in such a big team, right across Europe.”