The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

“Scotland’s strength was in defence where there was not a failure although centre half Jim Holton certainly takes some getting used to. Especially, I’d imagine if you’re unlucky enough to be playing against him”
“He’s as hard as nails and about as constructive as a B-52 Bomber – but by heavens, he’s effective.”
Thus wrote Jim Blair about Lesmahagow’s finest in the Evening Times in March,15th 1973 after seeing him play in the dark blue of Scotland for the first time. Scotland had played an Under-23 friendly the night before winning 2-1.
Jim would, of course go on to gain 15 caps for Scotland scoring a goal in the equaliser against Czechoslovakia in the famous win at Hampden in 1973. Jim would play all three games in the World Cup of 1974 but a leg break in December 1974 followed by another in quick succession would see his Scotland career come to a premature end.
Jim passed away following a heart attack on October, 4th 1993.