Devastated Michael Stewart pauses Scotland commentary to pay moving tribute to Alex Salmond

The news broke torwards the end of the first half of Scotland's Nations League clash away in Croatia

Michael Stewart paused his Scotland commentary duties to pay an emotional tribute to Alex Salmond.

The former First Minister passed away after giving a speech in north Macedonia earlier today. Stewart, who is on co-comms as Steve Clarke's side take on Croatia in the Nations League. News broke towards the end of the first half, in which Ryan Christie had fired the Scots ahead before they were pegged back when Igor Matanovic levelled things up three minutes later.

As the second half began, commentator Rory Hamilton teed up Stewart to pay homage to former SNP leader. Stewart himself is an SNP supporter and a big advocate for Scottish independence, and revealed how he met with Salmond only last week as he admitted he was "devastated" by Salmond's death. He said: "Devastating news to hear of Alex's passing. A giant in the political world. I just wonder, seeing the news that he was doing a speech in North Macedonia earlier today, whether he was en route or planning to join the Tartan Army in Zagreb, something that he did regularly.

"It's just such disappointing news to hear. Alex Salmond was a real leader and unfortunately he's passed away. I met him last month and he had big ambitions, even for the future. he still had so much he felt he had to try and do and move the country forward. It's devastating to hear of his passing."

And shortly after, Stewart shared some fairly morbid trivia: "Just a spooky stat; the only other First Minister to have died is Donald Dewar, on October 11 2000, during a Scotland game and they were playing away to Croatia. It was a 1-1 draw."

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