The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

That was for Jacksonville 2012 – I’ll take my revenge anyway I can get it……

So, even if I only understand about half the rules of rugby union, I still thoroughly enjoyed drinking my beer and watching Scotland [eventually] demolish ‘The Interfering Imperialists’ from my seat in the south stand – the site of the once-famous ‘Scratching Shed’ – at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds.

Jock Stein has been quite rightly lauded recently for his legacy to Scottish Football but as controversial as it sounds, his first two years in permanent charge of the Scotland team were pretty appalling and in this day and age with fans forums and a less respectful media there would have been shouts for him to quit or be given the boot.
If you look at his first 17 games his record was pretty poor; Played 17, Won 5, Drawn 2 and lost 10. Of course at this time, Scotland were always pitiful in the Euro qualifiers and always seemed to suffer a World Cup hangover as old players left and new ones came in.
Ally McLeod had been in charge at the start of our Euro campaign as we were defeated by Austria 3-2 in Vienna. A month later and with Jock in charge, Scotland fielded an almost unchanged team against Norway at home in front of a crowd of 65,372. Arthur Graham of Leeds United who had replaced Joe Jordan late in the second half in Vienna retained his place and Aberdeen’s Stuart Kennedy dropped out for Man City’s Willie Donachie.

Scotland struggled to a late win with Dalglish’s second of the night in the 82nd minute and an Archie Gemmill penalty in the 87th giving us a 3-2 win.
In fairness to Jock, it was a difficult qualifying group with Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Norway as opponents. 1978 closed with a narrow one nil defeat to Portugal in Lisbon. Jock played David Narey, Martin Buchan and Gordon McQueen in this game and quite often this puzzling line up with three central defenders ensued, normally with one deployed in the midfield with Alan Hansen, Willie Miller. Alex McLeish and Paul Hegarty all thrown into the mix.

Next up in the Euros in June ’79 was Norway in Oslo whom we comprehensively beat 4-0 with goals from Joe Jordan, Kenny Dalglish, John Robertson and Gordon McQueen. Despite a poor Home Internationals where we beat Northern Ireland one nil but lost 3-0 and 3-1 to Wales and England respectively and a friendly defeat to Argentina with Maradona stealing show, an expectant crowd of 67,895 turned up to see Scotland in their home game against Austria in October ’79.
A disappointing one all draw saw Scotland’s hopes of qualifying start to fade and finally squashed by two defeats in a row to Belgium as usual losing 2-0 in Brussels and then truly pumped 3-1 at Hampden in front of a crowd of 25,389.
Our last qualifier saw a crowd of 20,233 turn up to watch Scotland demolish Portugal 4-0 with goals from Dalglish, Andy Gray, Stevie Archibald on his debut and an Archie Gemmill penalty once more.
Once again, our Home Internationals were poor with a one nil defeat to Northern Ireland in our return to Belfast, followed by a one nil win over Wales at home with Willie Miller supplying the killer touch. A two nil defeat to England at Hampden saw us finish last as Northern Ireland claimed top spot.
Defeats in friendly away games to Poland and Hungary rounded up the ’79-‘80 season and so to the ’80-’81 season and a World Cup campaign. Again it was a difficult draw with Sweden, Portugal (again), a very good Northern Ireland side and a tricky minnow in Israel to overcome but with two to through automatically hopes were high of success.
The first game would be against Sweden in Stockholm and as always a good start to your campaign is vital and although my original premise of: did Gordon Strachan save Jock Stein when he scored the only goal is probably a stretch it gave Scotland the confidence to move on through a very cut-throat group where the dynamics seem to change rapidly.
By the time of our first game, the Swedes had already drawn to Israel and been beaten 3-0 by Northern Ireland; so effectively they were always playing catch up after we beat them. Although we were to beat them at Hampden by two goals to nil in the return game; Sweden beat Portugal twice when we could only draw with Portugal at home and were defeated away in Lisbon 2-1 in a game that didn’t matter as qualification had already been secured with our second draw with Northern Ireland in the series.
The article is from Match Weekly and is a recreation of Gordon’s wonderful goal and you are better man than me if you can work out what actually happened. It’s so much easier looking it up on You Tube.

So was it down to Strachan’s goal; probably not as the more vital goal was scored in Tel Aviv by Kenny Dalglish as we became the only team to secure both points away to Tel Aviv but it was vital and mebbe just mebbe he did.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook September 28th, 2015

Wales 1 Scotland 3; 23 October 1948.

It’s funny I had this article all written out and in fact sent it on to Alan to post it on Facebook and then I discovered the real story. At first I was going to make it all about the third goal which is well worth watching but it’s the first goal that’s where the story is. The commentator rightly gives it to Lawrie Reilly, however all historical records give it to Hugh Howie also of Hibs, who was making his only Scotland appearance. I have checked the Glasgow Herald at the time and it gives the first goal to Reilly. Unfortunately my copy of Lawrie’s book is on my kindle which is not working so I don’t know what he said of it. I know it might not be all that important given it was over fifty years ago but to me Lawrie deserves the credit for this goal. Lawrie played a total of 38 times for his country and scored 22 goals; I believe that total should be looked at and Lawrie should be given his 23rd goal.
As for the game, the commentator says it’s a fairly inexperienced Scotland side although that statement is tempered by the fact it’s only a few years after the war. Six of the team are making their debuts.
As well as Reilly and Hugh Howie, Bobby Evans of Celtic and the distinct red hair made the first of his 48 Scotland appearances; Bobby would be captain of the team on 12 occasions. Willie Redpath of Motherwell also started that day and would gain nine caps in total.
Jimmy Mason who would be the last Third Lanark player to play for Scotland and indeed had a good scoring record with four goals in his only seven games.
Finally, John Kelly, who is the only Barnsley player ever to play for Scotland would win the first of his two caps that day also.
Reilly or Howie opens up the scoring, then Willie Waddell of Rangers adds a second before Jones of Wales pulls one back. Scotland’s third and undoubtedly best goal comes in 30th minute from Waddell and is well worth repeated looks too.

Bobby gained 17 caps for Scotland as goalkeeper but never really got to establish himself as the number one choice.
However, in researching Bobby’s career you really get a sense of what a remarkable man he is. Bobby is of course famous as the Aberdeen goalie from the late 60’s through to the 80’s when he relinquished the role to Jim Leighton. He also held the record for not conceding a goal in consecutive minutes at 1,155 minutes which he established in season 1970-71. Edwin Van Der Saar of Manchester United would finally break this British record in 2009. Fraser Forster would break the Scottish record in 2014.

He would also manage to turn out for Aberdeen as a full back for two games when he lost his goalkeeping spot to Ernie McGarr in season ’68-’69.

As for Scotland, Bobby played his first game in 1967. Bobby who played for Queen’s Park previously replaced Ronnie Simpson who also played for Queen’s Park at one time as did the Scotland manager Bobby Brown. His debut was in a 3-2 win over Wales at Hampden in a Home International match in November 1967. Two goals by Alan Gilzean and one by Ronnie McKinnon earned Scotland the win.
Another cap, six months later in a nil nil draw with Netherlands in Amsterdam followed. It would be another 11 games before he was capped again with Ronnie Simpson, Jim Herriot of Birmingham City, Tommy Lawrence of Liverpool and even the aforementioned Ernie McGarr all taking charge between the sticks. However, his return in a one nil win over Northern Ireland in April 1970 was a one off as Bobby Brown went with another former Queen’s Park goalkeeper in Hearts’ Jim Cruickshank’s.
Bobby’s longest run of games came in Bobby Brown’s last six games in charge from April ’71 to June ’71. Unfortunately, Scotland lost five out of the six games and it’s probably indicative of the times that the team sent out to play England was: Bobby in goals, John Greig (Rangers), Jim Brogan (Celtic), Billy Bremner (Leeds), Frank McLintock (Arsenal), Bobby Moncur (Newcastle), Jimmy Johnstone (Celtic), Tony Green (Blackpool), Peter Cormack (Nottingham Forest), Davie Robb (Aberdeen) and Hugh Curran of Wolves. Subs that day were Frank Munro, also of Wolves and Airdrie’s Drew Jarvie. Scotland got beat 3-1 with Hugh Curran scoring Scotland’s goal. Happy Birthday Hugh, who will be 72 on 25th September.
Although, Bobby would be replaced by Bob Wilson of Arsenal in Tommy Docherty’s first game in charge. Bobby would play in 7 of Tommy’s 12 games in charge including the Home International series of 1972 and two games of the Brazilian Independence Cup that summer.
Bobby’s 17th and last cap came in Willie Ormond’s first game in charge as Scotland were pumped 5-0 in a miserable night at Hampden by England. This game was played to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football Association. On a snow covered Hampden pitch and with an orange ball, we got Sweet FA and the You Tube video does not make great viewing. Avoid at all costs…..

Bobby would of course be named in many Scotland squads in following years, mostly as the experienced third choice goalie and although he was not chosen for the 1974 World Cup Squad, he was picked for the 1978 squad.
Bobby had gained three caps as an Under-23 player, when he was 21. At the age of 31, Bobby gained the first of three Under-21 caps as he was pitched in as the experienced over age player for some of the early Under-21 games.

Bobby’s story does not end as his goalkeeping career finished, Bobby at 70 is still coaching at the famous University of Notre Dame in the US, where he is the head soccer coach.

Happy Birthday Bobby.

David Stuart

First posted On Facebook 26th September 2015

It is perhaps fitting that on the day that Warner / Chappell lost their case about copyright over the song Happy Birthday, I find myself with too many players having birthdays over a few days and no time to write or more importantly research stuff for an article. So instead, here’s a quick salute and jot around a few of the players with birthdays in the next few days. Missed some yesterday including one of my all-time favourites big Tommy Hutchison; big Tommy was 68 yesterday (22nd). Tommy gained 17 caps and scored one goal, most of his caps were around the time of the ’74 World Cup. When you think of it 26th September, 1973 must have been one of the most important dates in Scottish football history and Willie Ormond took the brave step of handing out debuts to Tommy and George Connelly and was rewarded with the victory over Czechoslovakia that took us to Munich ’74.
Also yesterday was James Mackie’s 30th birthday. Okay not the greatest of Scotland players but an earnest hard working player and the scorer of a very fine goal against Cyprus. I remember in season 2010-11, he had started the season excellently; scoring 8 Championship goals in 7 games and then Craig Levin told Dorking born Mackie he was a Scot and he never scored for another 13 games. Typical Scottish forward. Funny enough like Tommy Hutchison, Jamie made his debut against the Czech Republic unfortunately for Jamie the match was more infamous than famous; being that most negative game a Scotland team ever played (Feckin’ Craig Levein and his over the halfway line ye shall not pass tactics- Fanny baws indeed).
Jim McCalliog – Greatest Debut ever scoring in the 1967 3-2 victory over England at Wembley, then four more games and did zip. Happy 69th Birthday Jim on the 23rd
. Also on the 23rd is David Gibson who played seven games in the years ‘63 and ‘64 as a Leicester City player, Dave managed two goals; one of which came in a 6-2 friendly mauling of Spain in Madrid in 1963. Happy 77th Birthday David.
Kenny Burns, yep him of the long blonde hair and fierce temper is also having a birthday on the 23rd. Kenny, we can forgive the hair but not the performances in Argentina but then again big Gordon McQueen was supposed to be there instead and could’ve, would’ve, should’ve made a difference. Happy 62nd birthday. Crikey surely no one else on the 23rd. Well there’s the guy that you wonder, do people still chant down the street “Davie Dodds is Elephant Man” at him. Happy 57th Birthday David. 2 caps 1 goal. Nuff said.
And then there’s tomorrow (24th) but I’m starting to get bored though. So quickly, Happy 69th Birthday John O’Hare, a big lumbering centre forward beloved by Brain Clough who took him with him to three clubs. John’s 13 caps and 5 goals is worth an article of its own but not today. Who knows how many more he might have scored if he’d been allowed by his club to go to Brazil for the mini-World Cup in ’72 and not dumped by the Doc due to this. Ally McCoist, what more can I say? 61 games and 19 goals. The boy did well but just couldn’t get to that 20 barrier. Happy 53rd birthday Super Ally!
Next up is Murdo MacLeod. Murdo won 20 caps for Scotland, scoring one goal but is mostly remembered for being knocked out by Brazilian Branco in the 1990 World Cup. Partick Thistle fans will also claim he was also brain dead for the few years he was in charge down Firhill Road way. Happy 57th Birthday Murdo. Finally Craig Burley – scored a great goal against Norway in the World Cup ; then dyed his hair blonde as superstars did then and was a complete twat against Morocco; not only anonymous for most of the game but also manged to get himself sent off. And now he gets to pontificate on every Scotland game and player as a TV pundit. Happy 44th birthday Fanny Baws anaw.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook September 24th, 2015

OK, so it’s not real football but it is Scotland at a World Cup Finals – [I’ve got the Topps Trading Cards to prove it] -and there are not that many top international sports events where we are represented as an ‘Independent’ nation. Didn’t the Murray brothers do well at the tennis recently – for Great Britain……

Anyway, back to the Rugby and in our opening matches at eight World Cup Finals, Scotland have only lost once – to South Africa in 1999. Compare that to our appearances at eight FIFA World Cup Finals which have seen Scotland WIN only two of their opening games – versus Zaire in 1974 and New Zealand in 1982.

Came across this one the other day all the way from 1968 and with, we think George Davidson commentating. It’s a World Cup Qualifier at Hampden against Austria in November 1968. Scotland go down one nil after 2 minutes with Ronnie Simpson not looking too great in in his last game for Scotland, however a few minutes later oor Denis equalises. In the second half Billy Bremner manages to squeeze in between a few Austrians to poke the ball home after a cross from John Greig.
Scotland won 2-1 and that night the line-up was Ronnie Simpson, Tommy Gemmell, Eddie McCreadie, Ronnie McKinnon, John Greig, Jimmy Johnstone, Charlie Cooke, John Hughes, Denis Law and Bobby Lennox. Alan Gilzean came on for Law in 75 minutes. The match was played in front of a crowd of 80,856.

David Stuart

First posted on Facebook September 22nd, 2015

I eventually managed to get my hands on a programme for the recent Georgia-Scotland match – Well you’ve got to collect the rough with the smooth haven’t you? Anyway, it was good to see much of the programme was in English and it can be enlightening to see ourselves as others see us.

An interview with Zurab Khizanishvili, the former Dundee and Rangers defender now playing in Azerbaijan with Inter Baku, revealed that he thought the majority of Scotland’s travelling support would be Celtic fans. Hmmm….. He also thought Scotland had a much stronger team back in 2007 when we last visited Tbilisi.

Yep, it’s one of Hans-Hubert’s boys; Gareth Williams future star of the Scotland team was how he was portrayed at the time by Berti. Sadly, once again I must point out to you Ladies and Gentlemen to the curse of Berti. Yep, Gareth Williams, another one who’s career ended prematurely or went up the spout for a couple of years. Don’t believe in such a thing. Well, look who was among the debutees in the five games Gareth played for the national side; Robbie Stockdale (retired aged 29), Michael Stewart (retired aged 30), Maurice Ross (retired aged 30), Kevin Kyle (retired aged 33), Lee Wilkie . . . do I really need to go on?
Anyway back to the luckless Gareth, who started his Scotland career whilst a Nottingham Forest player. Gareth was lucky in one respect he wasn’t chosen for Berti’s first game in charge that mighty mauling in Paris by France but was given a starting berth for the next game against Nigeria up at Pittodrie on 17th April 2002. Despite Christian Dailly scoring in seven minutes the Scots were to lose the game 2-1. Gareth would make way for Michael Stewart of Manchester United in the 64th minute when the scores were still level.
Next up was the Far East tour of 2002, whilst everyone else was getting ready for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, we had to make do with this travesty.
The first came in a future World Cup stadium against South Korea in Busan; the Scots would lose 4-1 with West Brom’s Scott Dobie scoring his only Scotland goal on his debut. Gareth came on at half time in place of Garry O’Connor probably to shore up the midfield unfortunately it was only one nil at half time. To be fair, South Korea performed very well in the World Cup beating Poland and Portugal in the group stages then beating Italy and Spain (on penalties) in the knock out phase before going out to a narrow defeat to Germany in the Semi-Finals.

South Africa also did themselves proud in the World Cup, just missing out in the knock out stages after beating Slovenia, drawing with Paraguay and losing 3-2 to Spain. On their way to the World Cup they met Scotland in Hong Kong as part of the Reunification Cup tournament. The Scots were beaten two-nil in front of a crowd of 3007. Gareth would start in this game being replaced by Scott Severin of Hearts in the 77th minute. This game would also mark the debut of James McFadden, another whose career is on the scrapyard prematurely.

Finally a win for Bert’s boys against the might of the Hong Kong League XI. “Jackie Chan, Jackie Chan (not to be confused with Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan), Yun-Fat Chow, Sally Phillips and a host of others. We gave your boys a hell of a beating, a hell of a beating”.
Yep, we did with goals from Kevin Kyle, Steven Thompson, Christian Dailly (ah who can forget Christian shouting “ F**kin Diving Bastards in the background, with Berti on mike saying “Christian, Christian” trying to calm him down in his Germanic tones after the 2-1 defeat to Germany in September 2003.) And a final goal from Scot Gemmill. Gareth had come on in 60th minute for Allan Johnston.
Gareth’s final game came in the torrential rain of Braga as Portugal beat Scotland 2-0 coming on as a sub for Paul Lambert in the 60th minute.
Although he would go on to win caps for the Under 21’s and would make moves from Forest for Leicester and then Watford; making his debut in EPL for them in February 2007. Gareth only played twice more for Watford before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury which despite six operations never healed fully and he retired in 2009.
His profile for Four Four Two makes quite sad reading when you think of how things ended for him. In Five Years’ Time I’ll be in . . . The Premiership . . . established in the Scotland team. If all goes to plan I’d love to be part of the next World Cup.”
Still it’s not all doom and gloom as his celebrity wife would be Natalie Portman. Ok, she’s not quite Hattie Jacques but if she’s good enough for Thor she’ll do for me too.

David Stuart

First posted On Facebook September 20th, 2015