The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

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).

On this day, Scotland drew 1-1 with West Germany at Hampden in a World Cup Qualifier. Gerd Muller gave Germany the lead in the 35th minute but Bobby Murdoch equalised with five minutes to go, in front of a crowd of 97,628. Scotland team is seen below prior to the match at Largs.

Scotland lined up as Tommy Lawrence (Liverpool), Tommy Gemmell (Celtic), Eddie McCreadie (Chelsea), Bobby Murdoch, (Celtic), Ronnie McKinnon, John Greig (both Rangers), Jimmy Johnstone (Celtic), Billy Bremner (Leeds United, Captain), Denis Law ( Manchester United), Alan Gilzean (Tottenham Hotspur) and Bobby Lennox (Celtic).

Lennox was replaced by Charlie Cooke of Chelsea in the 63rd minute.

The West German side seen below includes future Scotland Manager Berti Vogts (1st left).

Other photo taken down at Turnberry is of German greats Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller is tartan regalia. Ther are no known photos of any Scots in lederhosen for the away qualifier.

On this day in 2002 Berti Vogts would take charge of Scotland for his second game against Nigeria at Pittodrie. He would give out seven debut caps in total. Starting that day would be Rab Douglas of Celtic, Robbie Stockdale of Middlesbrough, Kevin McNaughton of Aberdeen, Gareth Williams of Nottingham Forest. Coming on at half time would be Graham Alexander of Preston North End and later in the match Michael Stewart of Manchester United and Garry O’Connor of Hibs would make their International bows. As to the game it started well enough with Christian Dailly opening the scoring in seven minutes but two goals either side of half time by Julius Aghahowa would give victory to Nigeria.

A lot was expected of Williams, Stewart and O’Connor but they never reached their full potential for varying reasons. However, Rab Douglas would win 19 caps in total, whilst Alexander who made his debut at the age of 30 would gain 40 caps in total.

Full Line Up – Rab Douglas (Celtic), Robbie Stockdale (Middlesbrough), Stephen Crainey (Celtic), Paul Lambert (Celtic, Captain), David Weir (Everton), Christian Dailly (West Ham United), Kevin McNaughton (Aberdeen), Gareth Williams (Nottingham Forest), Steven Thompson (Dundee United), Scot Gemmill (Everton) & Neil McCann (Rangers).

Graham Alexander and Gary Caldwell (of Newcastle United) replaced Robbie Stockdale and Scot Gemmill at half time. Michael Stewart came off in the 64th minute for Gareth Williams. O’Connor replaced Thompson in the 75th minute and the final change saw Allan Johnston of Middlesbrough coming on for Neil McCann.

Photo from the book ‘Football Stories Bad Boys and Hard Men’ by Niall Edworthy comes George Best being sent off v Scotland at Windsor Park, on April 18th, 1970 with Derek Dougan escorting him off the park. McKinnon & Gilzean are the Scots surrounding the ref.

Scotland won 1-0 thanks to a John O’Hare goal. Scotland lined up as Bobby Clark (Aberdeen), Davie Hay (Celtic, winning the first of his 27 caps), Billy Dickson (Kilmarnock, first of his six caps), Frank McLintock (Arsenal, Captain), Ronnie McKinnon (Rangers), Bobby Moncur ( Newcastle United), Tommy McLean (Kilmarnock), Willie Carr (Coventry City, 1st of his six), John O’Hare (Derby County, 1st of his13), Alan Gilzean (Tottenham Hotspur) & Willie Johnston (Rangers).

Colin Stein of Rangers replaced Gilzean in the 75th minute.

This was to be Scotland’s last match in Northern Ireland for ten years due to civil unrest.

Lawrie Reilly v England on this day in 1952. Reilly would hit a double including one in the 89th minute to give Scotland a 2-2 draw. Ivor Broadis netted a brace for England too.
Also, in the photo is Alf Ramsay.

Scotland lined up as George Farm (Blackpool), George Young (Rangers, Captain), Sammy Cox (Rangers), Tommy Docherty (Preston North End), Frank Brennan (Newcastle United), Doug Cowie (Dundee, winning the first of his 20 caps), Tommy Wright (Sunderland), Bobby Johnstone (Hibernian), Lawrie Reilly (Hibernian), Billy Steel (Dundee) & Billy Liddell (Liverpool)

This is essentially the team that got beat 4-0 by England at Hampden in on this day in 1958. However, Eric Caldow was injured at the last minute and his place was taken by Harry Haddock of Clyde. Sammy Baird was to be the unlucky or perhaps on this occasion lucky 12 man.

The line up is Alex Parker (Falkirk), Eric Caldow (Rangers), Ian McColl (Rangers), Tommy Younger (Liverpool), Bobby Evans (Celtic), Sammy Baird (Rangers), Dawson Walker (Trainer / Manager)

George Herd (Clyde), Jimmy Murray (Hearts), Tommy Docherty (Preston North End), Jackie Mudie (Blackpool), Jim Forrest (Motherwell) and Tommy Ewing (Partick Thistle).

The photo is taken down at Hamilton Park, home of Girvan F.C.

Bobby Evans and Billy Wright, winning his 100th cap leading out the sides at Wembley on this date in 1959. Scotland lost 1-0 to a 59th minute goal by Bobby Charlton in front of a crowd of 98,329.

Scotland team that day was Bill Brown (Dundee), Duncan MacKay (Celtic, winning his first cap of 14), Eric Caldow (Rangers), Tommy Docherty (Arsenal), Bobby Evans (Celtic, Captain), Dave Mackay (Tottenham Hotspur), Graham Leggat (Fulham), Bobby Collins (Everton), David Herd (Arsenal), John Dick (West Ham, winning his only cap), Willie Ormond (Hibernian, winning his sixth and final cap).