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First posted on Facebook on October 2nd, 2016

Happy Birthday to Motherwell legend Willie Pettigrew.
Willie will turn 63 today. Willie played 5 times for Scotland, scoring two goals in the process. Scotland would win all five of the games in which he participated which makes you wish he played a lot more times.
His first cap came in April, 1976 and Willie got off to the best of starts opening the scoring against in two minutes against Switzerland. I pity anyone who was late that night, as this would be the game’s only goal.
He then played in the opening two games of the 1976 Home International series scoring the opening goal against Wales in a 3-1 win at Hampden. He would also play in the 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland a few days later but was dropped for the England game with the more experienced Joe Jordan being chosen in front of him.
Willie would make a brief subs appearance six months later as a replacement for Eddie Gray in the final moments of the Home World Cup Qualifier against Wales. An Ian Evans own goal in the 15th minute would give Scotland the victory.
His final game would be against Sweden in April, 1977. Scotland would win 3-1 in this friendly that would prove to be both Pettigrew’s and Willie Ormond’s last games with Scotland. Although, Willie would not score in the 3-1 victory he was given the full 90 minutes. Whether Ormond had him in his longer term plans had he remained in charge is mere conjecture but Ally MacLeod would recall Derek Parlane for his first game in charge a month later with no pace for Pettigrew and so Willie’s Scotland career ended.

David Stuart