The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

Q. ” Who scored for Scotland without kicking a ball?”

A. ” Joe Craig”

Correct. Joe Craig came on as a sub in the 76th minute in a friendly v Sweden on April 27th, 1977. Within a few seconds he headed in Scotland’s third and therefore had not “kicked the ball”. Sadly, it would be Joe’s only Scotland appearance as it would be for fellow Celtic player Ronnie Glavin. Perhaps the worst time to make your International debut is in a match that would ultimately be the Manager’s last as Willie Ormond soon took on a post at Hearts.

The match also saw the end of their Scotland careers to John Blackley of Hibs and Willie Pettigrew of Motherwell. Centre Half Blackley had been first capped in 1973 v Czechoslovakia in Bratislavia as Scotland lost 1-0 but having already qualified for World Cup 1974. Blackley would make an appearance during the Finals, playing in the opening game against Zaire in the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund. Ally McLeod would continue to select Blackley for some of his squads with the likes of Buchan, McQueen, Forsyth and Burns available he did not play again.

Willie Pettigrew like Joe Craig made a quick burst into the International scene, netting the only goal v Switzerland at Hampden in April 1976 after only two minutes of play. Willie also netted in his second game too as Scotland beat Wales 3-1. Overall he gained a total of five caps.

Full Scotland line up – Alan Rough (Partick Thistle), Danny McGrain (Celtic), Tom Forsyth (Rangers), John Blackley (Hibernian), Willie Donachie (Manchester City), Ronnie Glavin & Kenny Dalglish (both Celtic, Captain), Asa Hartford (Manchester City), Kenny Burns (Birmingham City), Willie Pettigrew (Motherwell), Willie Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).

Subs Used – Sandy Jardine of Rangers replaced Glavin in the 50th minute

– David Narey of Dundee United replaced Blackley in the 76th minute

– Joe Craig of Celtic replaced Burns also in the 76th minute.

Score – Scotland 3, Sweden 1 at Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance – 22,654.

Scorers – Scotland – Hartford (30), Dalglish (55), Craig (76)

Sweden – Wendt – (50).

OTD in 1977, David Narey made history when Willie Ormond brought him on in the 76th minute for Hibernian’s John Blackley in the match v Sweden. Narey would be the first ever Dundee United player to be capped by Scotland. David would go on to win 35 caps, playing at two World Cups and scoring a memorable goal v Brazil in 1982.

His last cap came February 1989 in the World Cup Qualifier v Cyprus as Scotland won 3-2 in Limassol.

Following on from David were 25 Dundee United players

*Denotes United caps won only.

Paul Hegarty – May 1979 to May 1983 – 8 Caps

Eamonn Bannon – December 1979 to June 1986 – 11 Caps

Paul Sturrock – May 1981 to April 1987 – 20 caps

Richard Gough – March 1983 to June 1986 – 26 caps*

Davie Dodds – September 1983 to December 1983 – 2 caps

Maurice Malpas – June 1984 to November 1992 – 55 caps

Jim McInally – April 1987 to April 1993 – 10 caps

Kevin Gallacher – May 1988 to December 1988 – 4 caps*

David Bowman – March 1992 to October 1993 – 6 caps

Duncan Ferguson – May 1992 to March 1993 – 4 caps*

Billy McKinlay – November 1993 to October 1995 – 14 caps*

Billy Dodds – October 1998 to November 1999 – 11 caps*

Charlie Miller – April 2001 – 1 cap only

Steven Thompson – March 2002 to October 2002 – 6 caps*

Paul Gallacher – May 2002 to May 2004 – 8 caps

Lee Miller – May 2006 – 1 cap only*

Barry Robson – August 2007 – 1 cap only*

Scott Robertson – November 2008 to August 2010 – 2 caps

Craig Conway – October 2009 to February 2011 – 2 caps*

Andy Webster – March 2010 – 1 cap only*

Garry Kenneth – August 2010 to November 2010 – 2 caps

David Goodwillie – November 2010 – 1 cap only*

Gary Mackay-Steven – November 2013 – 1 cap only*

Andy Robertson – March 2014 to May 2014 – 2 caps*

Lawrence Shankland – October 2019 to November 2020 – 4 caps *

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.

Alan Gilzean of Tottenham Hotspur made his final appearance for Scotland on this day in 1971 as Scotland lost 2-0 to Portugal in a European Championship Qualifier. Gilzean won 22 caps for Scotland scoring 12 goals.

Also playing in his last game was Rangers winger Willie Henderson. He had won 29 caps scoring five goals. Jim McCalliog of Wolves also made his farewell having won 10 caps, five of which came in the 1967 ‘World Tour’ and were only recently attributed to him. His only goal came in his debut at Wembley ’67!

Making their debuts that night were Jim Brogan of Celtic, Davie Robb of Aberdeen and sub Drew Jarvie of Airdrieonians. Jarvie is the last Diamonds player to be capped for Scotland and would win three caps altogether. Pictured below Drew Jarvie with Scotland boss Bobby Brown.

Full Line up – Bobby Clark (Aberdeen), Davie Hay, Jim Brogan (both Celtic), Pat Stanton (Hibernian), Ronnie McKinnon (Rangers), Bobby Moncur (Newcastle United, Captain), Willie Henderson (Rangers), Jim McCalliog (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Davie Robb (Aberdeen), Peter Cormack (Nottingham Forest) and Alan Gilzean (Tottenham Hotspur)

Subs – Jarvie replaced McCalliog in the 63rd minute and Tony Green of Blackpool replaced Pat Stanton.

An own goal by Stanton had given Portugal the lead in the 33rd minute. The great Eusebio doubled the tally in the 82nd minute.

On this day in 1964 Scotland defeated England one nil, thanks to a goal by Dundee’s Alan Gilzean. This would be Scotland’s third victory in a row against the Auld Enemy.

Scotland team lined up as follows: Campbell Forsyth (Kilmarnock), Alex Hamilton (Dundee), Jim Kennedy (Celtic), John Greig (Rangers), Billy McNeill (Celtic, Captain), Jim Baxter, Willie Henderson (both Rangers), John White (Tottenham Hotspur), Gilzean (Dundee), Dens Law (Manchester United) and Davie Wilson (Rangers). Forsyth and Greig made their debuts that day.

Keeper Forsyth with scorer Alan Gilzean, in front of them Henderson, Wilson, barefooted Alex Hamilton, Jim Kennedy. Partially hidden it looks like Jim Baxter and with his head down is John White.

The goal as depicted by the Rover comic a few years later.

From April, 1937 a then World Record crowd of 149,547 turn up to see Scotland beat England 3-1 with two goals from Rangers player Bob McPhail and one from Frank O’Donnell of Preston North End who was making his debut.

Scotland lined up as – Jerry Dawson (Rangers), Andy Anderson (Hearts), Andy Beattie ( also making his debut, Andy would go on to become Scotland’s first ever Manager in 1954), Alex Massie (Aston Villa), Jimmy Simpson (Rangers, Captain – Jimmy was the father of Lisbon Lion Ronnie Simpson), George Brown (Rangers), Jimmy Delaney (Celtic), Tommy Walker (Hearts), Francis O’Donnell (Preston North End), Bob McPhail (Rangers) and Dally Duncan (Derby County).

Scotland would lose the 1939 match at Hampden v England and with the war it was to be 25 years before they would defeat England in an offical match at home.

It is quite rare for a player to begin his career in the Highland League and progress to Full International Honours however on this day in 1994 two such players, both made their debuts for Scotland.

Inverness born John McGinlay started his career at Fort William and then went on to Nairn before working his way up the lower England leagues and eventually to Bolton where he gained his first Scotland cap. John would score in his opening game a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna. He would be replaced in the 75th minute by Duncan Shearer who had also tread a similar path.

Fort William born Shearer started out at Inverness

Clachnacuddin before progressing through the English Leagues then moving to Aberdeen where he gained his first cap.

John would play 13 times for Scotland scoring four goals including that special one v Sweden in November, 1996 at Ibrox. Duncan would only play seven games scoring two goals.

So here’s to John and Duncan two players that worked their socks off to get to the Scotland team and were very popular players at the teams they played with.

Scotland team lined up as Jim Leighton (Hibernian), Stewart McKimmie (Aberdeen), Alan McLaren (Hearts), Colin Hendry (Blackburn Rovers), Brain Irvine (Aberdeen), Tom Boyd (Celtic), Billy McKinlay (Dundee United), Gary McAllister (Leeds United, Captain), John Collins (Celtic), John McGinlay (Bolton Wanderers) and Eoin Jess (Aberdeen).

Ian Ferguson of Rangers replaced Tom Boyd at half time. Duncan Shearer came on for Billy McKinlay in the 75th minute. Pat Nevin of Tranmere replaced Eoin Jess in the 84th and a minute later Stuart McCall came on for John Collins.

OTD in 1965 Bobby Collins was recalled to the Scotland side for the first time in 6 years to win his 29th of his overall 31 caps.

He would be the first Leeds United player to be capped for Scotland. As it stands, at the moment 19 Leeds players have represented Scotland.

Follwing on Bobby there would be

*Leeds Caps won only

** Current player

Billy Bremner – May 1965 to September 1975 – 54 caps in total

Willie Bell – June 1966 – 2 Caps

Eddie Gray – May 1969 to November 1976 – 12 caps

Peter Lorimer – November 1969 to December 1975

David Harvey – November 1972 to September 1976 – 16 caps

*Joe Jordan – May 1973 to October 1977 – 27 caps

*Gordon McQueen – June 1974 to October 1977 – 17 caps

*Frank Gray – April 1976 to June 1983 – 25 caps

David Stewart – September 1977 – 1 cap only

Arthur Graham – September 1977 to May 1981 – 11 caps

*Gordon Strachan – October 1989 to March 1992 – 8 caps

*Gary McAllister – September 1990 to June 1996 – 41 caps

David Hopkin – June 1997 to October 1999 – 7 caps

Dominic Matteo – November 2000 to March 2002 – 6 caps

*Robert Snodgrass – February 2011 – August 2012 – 6 caps

*Ross McCormack – August 2012 to March 2014 – 4 caps

*Liam Bridcutt – March 2016 – 1 cap only

**Liam Cooper – September 2019 to March 2023 – 15 caps.

Scotland side to take on England at Hampden, 1956. John Hewie of Charlton and Graham Leggat of Aberdeen were to make their debuts with Leggat scoring Scotland’s goal in the 1-1 draw. Johnny Haynes would hit a last minute equaliser.

12th man that day was Tommy Docherty.

Scotland lined up as – Tommy Younger (Hibernian), Alex Parker (Everton), John Hewie (Charlton Athletic), Bobby Evans (Celtic), George Young (Rangers, Captain), Archie Glen (Aberdeen), Graham Leggat (Aberdeen), Bobby Johnstone (Manchester City), Lawrie Reilly (Hibernian), Ian McMillan (Aidrieonians) and Gordon Smith (Hibernian).