If that was the current Scotland team they’d be world beaters. Back then to me footballers were a lot better than now in my opinion.1 draw and 2 losses suggests on the world stage, they weren't particularly impressive as a team.
Johnston got in bother in Australia in the play off game.Was McCoist in the conversation for a call-up ahead of 1986? Also, what happened with Mo Johnston? Had he pissed Ferguson off?
Just had a look at 86 and didn’t realise they came up against Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay which is a tough group in fairness.
Denmark no mugs either I’d imagine with the likes of Michael Laudrup and Jan Molby. And West Germany is West Germany.Uruguay were the reigning South American champions. Very comfortable against us, even with ten men. That group was brutal.
The rumour about Johnston was that he misbehaved in Australia at the play off qualifier.Ernie Walker told Ferguson not to pick him for Scotland again as he was partying/smuggling local ladies into the team hotel.Was McCoist in the conversation for a call-up ahead of 1986? Also, what happened with Mo Johnston? Had he pissed Ferguson off?
Is that Messi on the third row between McStay and Speedie? I know he went on to play for Argentina so I guess he never got capped by us at that World Cup. Very shortsighted by Sir Alex.
West Germany - the runners up1 draw and 2 losses suggests on the world stage, they weren't particularly impressive as a team.
And I imagine those four would beat us now as well.West Germany - the runners up
Denmark - Euro 84 semi finalists
Uruguay - Copa America holders.
I think was the group that coined the term ‘group of death’
I'm guessing someone 15 years older than you would feel the same way too about players from the late 60s. I'm guessing the players now are actually better, and the amount of players playing in the Premier League that are Scottish would be similar if there was more movement of players back then.If that was the current Scotland team they’d be world beaters. Back then to me footballers were a lot better than now in my opinion.
The 78 Squad was totally Mismanaged & a SFA Disaster, Accommodation, Training facilities, Not even bothering to look at the Opposition, Peru & Iran,This was before my time so it has always baffled me why that team and the 78 squad performed so poorly. Top players, European Cup winners etc. why did they get beat off Peru, draw with Iran in 78?
Just had a look at 86 and didn’t realise they came up against Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay which is a tough group in fairness.
Was McCoist in the conversation for a call-up ahead of 1986? Also, what happened with Mo Johnston? Had he pissed Ferguson off?
Steve Nicol missed a sitter.Uruguay were the reigning South American champions. Very comfortable against us, even with ten men. That group was brutal.
Group of death it was.Uruguay were the reigning South American champions. Very comfortable against us, even with ten men. That group was brutal.
I know it’s a cliche now. But I said that earlier as those were literally the words used by the Uruguay managerGroup of death it was.
As an aside I loved Mexico 86 always lots if games on especially late at night, theUSSR v Belgium game was legendary 4-4.
He was very fast.What was David Speedie like as a player? (Don’t say fast )
Was thinking the same thing.My initial reaction now is the same as it was then …….. how the fuk did Aitken get picked.
Steve Nicol missed a sitter.
If I remember that year the stickers weren't stickers, but were made of plastic instead.
In 74 we had a proper keeper, Harvey of Leeds & Jardine/McGrain/Hay all at their best.This was before my time so it has always baffled me why that team and the 78 squad performed so poorly. Top players, European Cup winners etc. why did they get beat off Peru, draw with Iran in 78?
Just had a look at 86 and didn’t realise they came up against Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay which is a tough group in fairness.
I thought he was a victim of a Taco from behindFerguson went too defensive first game with 3 holding midfielders and Sturrock should never have started, would have gone with Archibald to partner Nicholas.
The WG game we really missed Big Eck after his dodgy CocaCola but the Germans were a good team.
Uruguay, we didn’t look like we wanted to stay in Mexico think most of the squad had packed their bags and wanted home.
Was an ok squad, probably got as far as it should have.
Rangers weren't exactly setting the Heather on fire before souness came..we just sneaked into Europe by the skin of our teeth..,beating mwell on the last day if m correct to come 4thOne Rangers player in that squad, two from the beasts.
Was good to see Roughie there.
Rangers weren't exactly setting the Heather on fire before dsouness came..we just sneaked into Europe by the skin of our teeth..,beating mwell on the last day if m correct to come 4th
Was McCoist in the conversation for a call-up ahead of 1986? Also, what happened with Mo Johnston? Had he pissed Ferguson off?
Weird how folk remember things differently. I agree on the aggression, constant movement and lack of skill but I think he was slow, cumbersome and about as threatening as a Cabbage Patch Kid.He was very fast.
Aggressive and always on the move not giving defenders a minutes peace.
Not exactly highly skilled but his movement was intelligent and explosive.
Scored regularly.
To be fair.....it was a Rangers side that had finished 5th only a point or goal difference ahead of Dundee! Can't imagine where we'd have finished without Cooper carrying us and McCoist's goals that season.One Rangers player in that squad, two from the beasts.
Just as an aside, did Ian Durrant ever play at a major international tournament?
He was very fast.
Aggressive and always on the move not giving defenders a minutes peace.
Not exactly highly skilled but his movement was intelligent and explosive.
Scored regularly.
I think most of those world cups between 74 and 86 we peaked in the qualifiers. In the actual tournaments we were too loyal to the guys just past their best/ out of form which would get us off to a slow start.In 74 we had a proper keeper, Harvey of Leeds & Jardine/McGrain/Hay all at their best.
In 78 Hay & Harvey weren't there & in goal we had Rough, who I think was a part-time player back then.
He’d been practicing since playing against Cubillas in 78.Was good to see Roughie there.
I thought he was still rendered completely immobile after being rooted to the spot for Zico’s peach of a free kick back in ‘82.
He made his debut in the April v Netherlands
McCoist, Johnston, McClair and Robertson scored about 100 goals between them that season and none of them went.
Uruguay were a bunch of dirty cheating bastards.This was before my time so it has always baffled me why that team and the 78 squad performed so poorly. Top players, European Cup winners etc. why did they get beat off Peru, draw with Iran in 78?
Just had a look at 86 and didn’t realise they came up against Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay which is a tough group in fairness.