EXCLUSIVE: Scotland’s Spider sense! New Tartan Army strip pays homage to legend of Robert the Bruce

If at first you don't succeed... try, try again. Or so, the famous tale of Robert the Bruce and the Spider goes.

And Sportsmail can reveal that legend is the inspiration behind the new tartan themed Scotland home kit.

Unlike the story of Bruce, Scotland boss Gordon Strachan hasn’t been forced into exile after their 3-2 defeat by the English at Wembley in August.

Inspired by legend: James Morrison, Scott Brown and Grant Hanley show off the new Scotland strip

Patriotic: The kit remembers the tale of Robert the Bruce when he watched a spider refuse to give up

Robert the Bruce and the spider

After beating defeated by King Edward I and forced to flee, Robert the Bruce was taking refuge in a cave when he watched a spider attempt to spin a web. Tim and again it fell to the floor and kept climbing up to try again. Eventually, the spider's silk stuck to the cave wall and it began to build it's web. Robert was so inspired by what he saw he vowed to return a defeat the English. He did just that at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.



But having missed out on qualification for the World Cup in Brazil, Strachan's side will hope for a Bruce-like revival as they embark on next year's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. And who knows, they could beat England along the way.

The SFA unveiled the new number in Glasgow, announcing a renewed multi-million pound deal with adidas until 2018.

The new strip is arguably Scotland's smartest since the German sports brand replaced Diadora as kit suppliers back in 2009.

Strachan's squad will wear it for the first time on Friday night at Hampden Park when they take on Jurgen Klinsmann's USA.

The navy blue jersey is 40 per cent lighter than previous shirts and features a redeveloped tonal crest. The socks are red, which also features on the collar of the shirt.

All blue: Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is joined by players Steven Naismith (left) and Robert Snodgrass

New era: Scotland rugby star Alastair Kellock (centre) with the strip being modelled

A classic look is complete with tartan taping and cardinal piping, while the key design feature appears on the reverse in form of a spider print which pays homage to the iconic 14th century king of Scotland, Bruce.

Speaking about the lucrative partnership, SFA head of communications Daryl Broadfoot said: 'The money that we generate through this partnership continues to support our huge investment programme in grass roots and youth football.

'Every commercial deal we enter into has one sole aim - to help us secure the future of our game.

'I have no doubt that the deal will excite the fans and will go on to be a long and lasting success for everyone.'

The new kit is available to buy from Thursday.

Partners: Adidas has extended their deal with the Scottish national team to 2018

Design: The classic look is complete with tartan taping