The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

First posted on Facebook, 16th October 2016

Graeme Sharp will turn 56 today. The story of Graeme Sharp, really is the story of many a Scotland striker; to be found wanting in a Scotland shirt. There are very few over the years who have excelled on the international front since the eighties perhaps Mo Johnston, Ally McCoist and Kenny Miller are the only ones with any real goals return. Falling by the wayside around the time of Sharp would be Stevie Archibald, David Speedie, John Spencer, Gordon Durie, Brian McClair and Charlie Nicholas among others.
Like Sharp, some were really good club players in English First Division but couldn’t cut it on the International front in terms of goals.. Graeme’s goal average for Everton is about 1 in every three games scoring 111 League goals in total; for Scotland it was 1 in 12.
Graeme is one of only three Scottish players to have won the Goal of the Season award since it was first gifted in the early Seventies, having won it with a peach of a goal against Liverpool in ’84-’85.
The other Scots to win it are Archie Gemmill in 1977-78; but not for that goal but for another outstanding one in the same season for Nottingham Forest. Kenny Dalglish probably could have won it most seasons, such was his plethora of great goals for Liverpool and yet his is for a Scotland goal. In 1982-83 when he scored that wonder goal against Belgium in the Heysel Stadium of all places.
It was Jock Stein that gave Graeme his first cap in a World Cup Qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik, which Scotland crucially won in the last few minutes with Jim Bett’s only goal for Scotland. Fellow Evertonian Andy Gray started upfront alongside Graeme in what was to be his last game for Scotland.
Jock gave the nod to Graeme to start against Wales alongside David Speedie on that fateful night that Jock would pass away.
With Alex Ferguson taking over, Graeme would be sidelined for the play-offs against Australia with Frank McAvennie making his short lived but crucial appearances on the International scene. A couple starts in winning friendlies against Israel and Romania came and went without Sharp opening his goal account.
By the time of the World Cup it was quite clear; we didn’t have an effective striker in place with Maurice Johnston having been left out due to a falling out with Fergie and Kenny Dalglish withdrawing, Charlie Nicholas and Stevie Archibald had both been given their chances in the opening games but both were found wanting and so Fergie turned to Sharp to start against Uruguay and the rest as they say is Misery.
Andy Roxburgh would give Sharp a couple of more chances but with the rise of Ally McCoist and the reinstatement of Mo Jo as first choice strikers, it would mean his time was over. It is ironic that his only Scotland goal came in his final game a 1-1 friendly draw with Malta in Valletta. If Graeme was around today he probably would be our first choice striker but probably wouldn’t be good enough for Everton and no doubt would playing in the lower echelons of the Premiership or indeed in the Championship.
(Oh for an International Class Striker!)
Graeme would play for Everton for a few more years before moving on to Oldham where he was player-manager for a few years.
Happy Birthday Graeme and all the best.
David Stuart.

First posted on Facebook, October 16th, 2016

In researching Bert McCann’s career the other day I stumbled upon this Scotland top and thought it was well worth an article on its own. The picture is actually from a sale lot of Football memorabilia that Bert was apparently selling at auction few years back including his Scotland cap for the 9-3 defeat against England (no wonder). The shirt was worn by Bert in a Scottish League v Scottish XI from March, 1959. A crowd of over 40,000 turned up at Ibrox to watch this trial match take place. Couldn’t have been much on the telly that night!
Bert captained the League side which was as follows; Jock Wallace (Airdrie), yes that Jock Wallace, Duncan MacKay (Celtic), Baird (Partick Thistle), John Smith (Celtic), McCallum (Third Lanark), Bert McCann, McEwan (Raith Rovers), John White (Falkirk), Andy Kerr (Partick Thistle), Gray (Third Lanark) and Willie Ormond (Hibs).
The Scottish select turned out as thus; Bill Brown (Dundee), Alex Parker (Everton), Eric Caldow (Rangers), John Cumming (Hearts), Bobby Evans (Celtic) Captain; Dave Mackay (Tottenham), Alex Scott (Rangers), Bobby Collins (Everton), John Colrain (Celtic), Dave Gibson (Hibs) and Graham Leggat of Fulham.
The game ended with 11 goals and three hat-tricks as the league won 6-5. Andy Kerr and John White would both hit three for the League and John Colrain would do likewise for the Scotland select. Colrain would be the only player in the Scotland side who would not be capped for the Full International side. White and McCann would move to the full side for the match against West Germany at Hampden a few months later and John Smith shortly after this. Andy Kerr and Willie Ormond had both been previously capped but would gain no more after this.
40,000 thousand. WTF. Finally it is a cracking strip though. I wonder how much it went for.

First posted on Facebook on October 15th, 2016

Happy Birthday to Bert McCann who will turn 84 today. Bert played for Scotland 5 times in the late 50’s and early sixties. Motherwell at this time provided quite a few players to the National team including Ian St. John, Andy Weir. Willie Hunter, Pat Quinn, John Martis and Bert.
Bert was first capped in May, 1958 and played at what was used to be called wing-half, kind of like a holding midfielder nowadays. Also making their debuts were Motherwell teammates Andy Weir and Ian St. John but it would be another player making his first start too who would make the first impression; John White, then of Falkirk and soon to move South to Tottenham Hotspur scored within the first minute against West Germany. Andy Weir would hit the second in the sixth minute as Scotland got off to a dream start. The Germans would peg them back eight minutes later but a Graham Leggat goal in the 23rd cemented the Scots lead once more and although they would get one back before half-time the game finished 3-2 to Scotland and the 103,415 crowd were sent home happy. Not too bad a crowd for a friendly.
Although Bert was left out for the next few matches, he played every game of the 1959-60 Home International Series. The campaign started against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast in October 1959. Scotland would win comfortably 4-0 with goals from Graham Leggat of Fulham, John Hewie of Charlton Athletic, John White, by then a Spurs player and George Mulhall of Aberdeen.
Next up was a home game at Hampden in November v Wales. The legendary John Charles would score the Welsh opener but Graham Leggat would hit back early in the second half to give Scotland the draw.
The final game of the series was in April, 1960 and Bert was once more in the line-up. Starting their first games were Frank Haffey of Celtic and Alex Young of Hearts. 129,783 turned up at Hampden as Scotland took on the Auld Enemy. Once more Graham Leggat would score to put Scotland in front but a second half Bobby Charlton penalty would see the teams play out a 1-1 draw. Apparently, the Scots were the better team in this game but were unable to convert their chances, however most of the reports at the time suggest the referring by Mr. Skranko of Hungary was bewildering; he awarded 55 free kicks and England two penalties; one of which Charlton missed and was the allowed to take again due to a movement of the ball in the swirling wind– he missed that too.
If that was to be Bert’s last cap then perhaps he could have been quite happy with his Scotland career, however he was to earn one more cap at Wembley, 1961. Frank Haffey was to make his second and last appearance there too. Scotland lost 9-3 and we won’t go into too many details on that one!
Bert would go on to play for Motherwell until 1965 and move on briefly to Hamilton Accies.
In searching for a photo of Bert, this team one was the only one I could find. This is the line-up for that ill-fated match. The team is as follows; Bobby Shearer, Eric Caldow, Frank Haffey, Billy McNeill, Bert McCann, Dave MacKay
John MacLeod, Denis Law, Ian St. John, Pat Quinn, Davie Wilson, 12th and perhaps lucky man Duncan Mackay.

David Stuart.

First posted on Facebook on October 14th, 2016

At a time when Scotland needs heroes, born today in 1909 Douglas ‘Dally’ Duncan could be classed as one. Dally played all of his football in England and at a time when Anglos weren’t that popular, he played for Scotland 14 times during his time with Derby County scoring 7 goals. His most celebrated goals must be the two he scored against England in April, 1935 to give Scotland the 2-0 win.
Although perusing through Brian James’ England v Scotland book published in 1969 it suggests that this particular game was one of the poorest in years. Contemporary newspaper reports suggest that the 30,000 locked out of the game were the more fortunate rather than the 130,000 “locked in”.
Duncan scored his goals in either side of half time. The great Hughie Gallacher would make his final appearance in the blue of Scotland that day. Scotland were captained by Jimmy Simpson of Rangers, father of Celtic legend Ronnie that day.
The Scotland line up was Jackson (Chelsea), Anderson (Hearts), Cummings (Partick Thistle), Massie (Hearts), Simpson, Brown (both Rangers), Napier (Celtic), Walker (Hearts), Gallacher (Derby County), McPhail (Rangers), Duncan (Derby County).
Duncan in later years would manage Blackburn Rovers and would be in charge of one Ally MacLeod during this time. Dally passed away in 1990.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook on October 14th, 2016

Happy Birthday to Steven Thompson who turns 38 today.
Steven played for Dundee United, Rangers, Cardiff City and Burnley as well as turning out for his home town team of St. Mirren. Steven was also capped 16 times for Scotland scoring 3 goals.
Unfortunately all of Steven’s caps were won under Berti Vogts; so he tasted defeat so much more than victory. His first cap was as a Dundee United player and came on the same night as Berti’s Scotland managerial debut. Which means he took part in a 5-0 humping by France in the Stade De France in March, 2002. Steven would only play for the last 27 minutes coming on for Dunfermline’s Stevie Crawford. Steven would start the next game and played the first 75 minutes at Pittodrie as Scotland lost 2-1 to Nigeria.
However, he would taste victory soon enough as Scotland took on the might of the Hong Kong League Select as part of the Reunification Cup in May, 2002. Kevin Kyle would open the scoring after 22 minutes and Steven would add the second 14 minutes later with Christian Dailly and Scot Gemmill grabbing another two in the second half.
Steven would then play in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Denmark at Hampden in August, 2002. A month later and he would mostly be a spectator as a rather inept Scotland team lost two goals in quick succession to the Faroes in Toftir in a game which they were lucky to escape with a point thanks to goals from Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson. Steven would play for the last 7 minutes replacing Scot Dobie of West Brom. A bad way to start a Euro campaign.
A month later and Scotland gained a good result in Reykjavik winning 2-0 due to goals from Christian Dailly and Gary Naysmith. Steven’s 7th and last cap as a Dundee United player came a few days later in a 3-1 friendly win against Canada at Easter Road with Stevie Crawford hitting a double and Thompson scoring the other.
Another friendly in February, 2003 saw the Scots lose 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland at Hampden with Steven coming on as sub for Stevie Crawford in the 64th minute. By this time Steven was a Rangers player. With Berti there was always friendlies and in most cases defeats as happened in April, 2003 in front of a sparse crowd of 12,189 as Scotland took on Austria. Steven played in the first half swapping with Crawford at half time but by then all the goals had been scored and unfortunately both had went Austria’s way.
Kenny Miller at this point begins to establish himself in the Scotland team and Steven will start to disappear from the International scene. He does however, make two appearances against Germany in the 2004 Euro Qualifiers. In the home tie v Germany in June 2003, Steven comes on in the 89th minute for Kenny Miller. Miller had scored a second half equaliser to give Scotland the draw.
A few days before the game in Germany in September, Steven was given 15 minutes against the Faroes at Hampden as the Scots ran out 3-1 winners with goals from Neil McCann, Paul Dickov and James McFadden.
As to the Germany game, Steven was given the full ninety minutes in Dortmund. Scotland put in a good performance but came away 2-1 losers. Thompson had set up the Scotland goal in the 60th minute with the prefect cross for McCann to volley into the net. However, Maurice Ross was sent off six minutes later and Scotland’s chances of getting back into the game faded after that. Of course, this is the game that Christian Dailly is heard shouting “Cheats and Divers” during Berti’s post-match interview obviously unhappy with the soft penalty award in the 60th minute for Germany.
Steven would play in a couple of preferably forgotten home friendlies in 2004 as Scotland lost to Romania and Hungary before playing in the last ten minutes of a World Cup Qualifier against Norway at Hampden, which was lost one nil. (Why the SFA allowed Berti to continue at the start of the 2006 Qualifiers is hard to fathom?).
Steven won his 16th and final cap in Chisinau, Moldova in a World Cup Qualifier. Moldova would take the lead in the 28th minute through Dadu but Steven would equalise with a well taken goal in the 33rd minute and that was how it finished in both the game and for Steven.
Steven would go on play for Cardiff City and Burnley before returning home to play for St. Mirren. Steven retired from football at the tail end of last season but is regularly seen as a pundit for the BBC.
Happy Birthday Steven and all the best.

David Stuart

So I just had to share this with someone such is my excitement in that sad collector type way. Do you remember as a child the excitement of a new footballer set or later on, sticker set and all the things you would do to try and complete the set and then it came down to the last card? You would end up giving fifty cards away just to get it.
Well, it’s kind of the same if you’re buying cards on ebay and for some sets there’s always that elusive one and in the case of the A&BC Green back Scottish set of 1970 for me it has been no.151 Doug Fraser of WBA that I have been chasing for nigh on two years. Last week I finally won an auction for it; the price £26.99. Sad but true.
So what has this got to do with Scotland . . . well Doug played for Scotland on two occasions. Right back Doug had started his football days at his hometown club of Aberdeen before moving to West Brom for £23,000 in 1963. His two caps came in 1968 deputising for Tommy Gemmell. Doug made his debut in a blank draw with Netherlands in Amsterdam in May. Teammate Bobby Hope made the first of his two Scotland appearances that night. Other debuts were handed out to Bobby Moncur of Newcastle, George ‘Dandy’ MacLean of Dundee in his only Scotland appearance and replacing Hope after only twelve minutes was Jimmy Smith, then of Aberdeen.
Doug also played in the 5-0 World Cup Qualifier victory over Cyprus in Nicosia in December ’68. Alan Gilzean and Colin Stein both hit a brace with Bobby Murdoch supplying the other goal. That was it for Doug and Scotland.
As for me that is the 1970 set complete. Next up; Alan Gilzean from the 1969 Blue set. How lucky am I?

First posted on Facebook on October 11th, 2016

Happy Birthday to Steven Pressley who turns 43 today. Steven was capped at Under-21 level, 27 times, gaining 14 with Rangers, 7 with Coventry City and 6 with Dundee United. The high volume was due to the halcyon days when we were invited to the Toulon Under-21 tournament every year. The picture shows him scoring his only Scotland goal in a 1-0 win over the mighty San Marino away from home.
All 32 of his full caps would come as a Hearts player. His first was in March, 2000 as Scotland played a friendly v France at Hampden coming on in the second half for Paul Ritchie. Scotland lost 2-0 with both goals coming in the second half. His next cap, a couple of months later, was one of those embarrassing ones, when your team is winning in a meaningless friendly but the Manager, in this case, Craig Brown wants to run down the clock and so in the ninetieth minute Steven was brought on to replace Neil McCann at Lansdowne Road as Scotland were grimly holding on to a 2-1 lead; which is how it finished.
It would be under Berti Vogts that Steven would begin to make his mark in the Scotland side returning to the team in a Euro Qualifier away against Iceland in October, 2002. He would then become a regular in the team for the next few years. Steven would play in some big games around this time including the home and away ties against Germany in the 2004 Euro Qualifiers. Scotland would draw 1-1 at Hampden and lose 2-1 in Dortmund (“Dirty diving Bastards” according to Christian Dailly).
He would also play in the play-offs v Netherlands at Hampden where Darren Fletcher and James McFadden conjured up a magical moment for us all. Unfortunately, it was more tragic than magic a few days later.
He would captain Scotland on only one occasion, ironically at Easter Road and rather unusually for a Berti Vogts friendly, we won 4-1 against Trinidad & Tobago, thanks to goals from Fletcher, Gary Holt, Gary Caldwell and Nigel Quashie. Steven was winning his 19th cap that day.
He was missing for the last few games of Vogts’ tenure but was back in the line-up for Walter Smith’s first game in charge against Italy in Milan where Andrea Pirlo hit two wonderful free kicks to give Italy the victory.
Steven’s penultimate cap would come in the 1-0 win over France at Hampden in October, 2006 with Gary Caldwell providing the Goalden moment. However, he went from that high to the low of being sent off against Ukraine in Kiev as the Scots lost their first game of the 2008 Qualifiers a few days later.
With Steven suspended, newly installed Manager Alex McLeish went with Stephen McManus instead and it was McManus who would retain the Centre Half spot and deny Pressley any more Scotland caps.
Steven would of course move on to Celtic, Randers in Denmark (another for our Scotland Players Abroad section) and finally Falkirk before moving into management. He is of course involved in the current Scotland set up having been asked to scout on the Slovenia / Slovakia game a few days ago. Let’s hope he’s done his homework properly.
Happy Birthday Stephen and all the best.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook, October 10th, 2016

Sorry to hear of the passing of Gerry Gow today, the former Bristol City and Manchester City player. Gerry died at the age of 64 from lung cancer. Although, Gerry never made it as a Full Internationalist in some ways he represents that class of Scottish players who used to make up the backbone of many an English club.
Gerry was only ever recognised at Scotland Under-23 level and only played on the one occasion in March 1974. He was joined that night by Bristol City teammate Don Gillies also winning his only cap. However, a couple of Scotland legends also made their bow at that level that night too; Graeme Souness and Willie Miller.( I wonder if they compared moustaches.) Gerry came on as a sub in the 2-0 defeat to England in Newcastle, he replaced one Jimmy Calderwood, then of Birmingham City in the second half.
Gerry would play 375 League games for Bristol City before moving on to Manchester City, Rotherham and finally Burnley.
Our thoughts go to his family at this time. Rest in Peace Gerry.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook October 10th, 2016

Before his first international call, English born Graham Alexander said, “To be honest, since I started playing football, I’ve had two ambitions: to play in the Premier League, and to play for Scotland. I’ve been brought up supporting Scotland as far back as I can remember.”
Happy Birthday to Graham Alexander who got to achieve both these goals. Graham will be 45 today.
Graham was capped 40 times for Scotland, which given he was thirty when he earned his first cap at Preston North End is quite an achievement. He is one of the few players first capped by Berti Vogts who never had a period of long injury or indeed retire early following their International call up. Although he never scored for Scotland I ,bet everytime we won a penalty he was itching to take it, given his prowess at club level.
Graham played 837 league games in England scoring 107 goals, most of which no doubt came from the penalty spot.
Among his Scotland games Graham played in the Kirin Cup success in 2006 and both the wins against France in the 2008 Euro campaign.
Happy Birthday Graham and all the best.