On this day in 1986 Alan Rough made his 53rd & last appearance in a Scotland shirt as the Scots lost 2-1 to England at Wembley. Always a controversial figure being a Thistle supporter I saw his undoubted brilliance from week to week.

First capped v Switzerland Rough was only to lose two games in his first sixteen appearances, winning two British Championships in this period. He played at two World Cups (1978 & 1982) and travelled to Mexico ’86 too.

Although he was defeated in the match at Wembley, in 1981 he became only the second Scottish goalkeeper not to concede a goal in a game there. Dave Cumming of Middlesbrough first achieved this in 1938. Neil Sullivan and David Marshall have done so since.

51 of his caps were with Partick Thistle and the other two with Hibernian.

As to the Wembley match Terry Butcher and Glenn Hoddle scored for England in the first half and Graeme Souness replied through a penalty in the 2nd.

Full Scottish Line Up – Alan Rough (Hibernian), Richard Gough and Maurice Malpas (both Dundee United), Graeme Souness (Sampdoria), Alex McLeish, Willie Miller (both Aberdeen), Steve Nicol (Liverpool), David Speedie (Chelsea), Charlie Nicholas (Arsenal), Roy Aitken (Celtic) & Eamonn Bannon (Dundee United).

In the 57th Minute Pat Nevin of Chelsea replaced Charlie Nicholas.

This was one of ten matches thta Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of the National side.