Nostalgia. Scotland the Brave!

These are very difficult and troubled times in Scotland. A massive institution, Glasgow Rangers FC was threatened with extinction, and has been thrown out of the Scottish Premier League (I ignore the legal technicalities). The consequences for other clubs of bravely invoking the rules of sporting integrity are frightening. There is though a feeling amongst some, myself included, that the breaking of the Old Firm mould (hegemony?) may in the long run produce a fairer, more competitive, and infinitely more interesting Scottish Premier League. Sadly some believe, and not without reason, that Glasgow Celtic may be compelled to leave Scottish football altogether and to travel south of the border if in fact they could be accommodated in the English Football pyramid.

This article is not specifically about those matters. The sorry tale recounted above simply brought to my mind a different period in Scottish football history. The period I am referring to began in my early childhood with the ‘Lisbon Lions’ in 1967 and probably endured until about 1977. Surely a  golden era in Scottish football. A time of dazzling inside forwards and wingers to seize the imagination like Little Jimmy Johnstone.

Wembley 1967. Scotland v World Champions England on their own turf. England have not lost for 2 years whereas Scotland did not even qualify for the 1966 World Cup. Amongst the Scottish team are Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog. Bestriding midfield is Jim Baxter, maverick and cavalier. Scotland play England off the pitch winning 3 – 2 in front of an adoring Tartan Army of 30,000 fans. To fully mark the occasion Baxter insolently plays keepy uppy near the corner flag. The legend of the Unofficial World Cup Winner is born.

Weeks before in Lisbon, Celtic become the first British club to reach a European Cup final. Against the ultra defensive Inter Milan, Celtic field a team comprising 10 players born within 10 miles of Celtic Park. Milan take the lead after 7 minutes and ‘park the bus’. Celtic pile forward raining shots and eventually prevail 2 – 1. Their frenzied attacking play is later described by Willie Johnstone as ‘dutch football speedied up’. Celtic are still the only Scottish team to reach the final, repeating the feat, albeit unsuccessfully in 1970 against Feyenoord.

Not to be completely overshadowed Rangers for their part reach the Cup Winners Cup final in 1972 defeating Dynamo Moscow 3 - 2 in Camp Nou. Their journey is not without controversy. In an earlier round they are seemingly knocked out on penalties, until it is pointed out that they had in fact won on the away goals rule. Rangers fans invade the pitch in the final with one minute to go effectively ending the match and Dynamo’s fightback. UEFA do not order a replay, but do ban Rangers from Europe for 2 seasons. They could live with that outcome.

Scotland qualify for the World Cup in Germany 1974. England do not. With a team featuring Billy Bremner and Kenny Dalglish Scotland are cruelly denied further qualification when they cannot score past Zaire.

England v Scotland matches are what I remember best. In 1977 Scotland again triumph at Wembley boosting the aura around new manager Ally McLeod. The Tartan Army invade the pitch and stage an outrageous impromptu party. The goal posts are dismantled and ‘pitch souvenirs removed’. The controversy hastens the end of Home International clashes between the two oldest footballing nations.

Scotland travel to Argentina for the 1978 World Cup with high expectations, but Peru burst the bubble 3 – 1 and although Archie Gemmill scores one of the great World Cup goals Scotland go out by one goal. It is the end of an era. I wonder if Scottish football will ever see its like again?