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[Boyne]

On 20/09/2023 at 06:00, erskblue said:

Boyne: Yeah I remember my old man always being angry when Auld ever appeared on tv or radio.

My old man wasn’t bitter in the context of the Rangers v Celtic rivalry. Well in context, he very rarely wanted Celtic to win, let’s put it that way!😀

Had he still been alive, he’d have been cheering on Feyenoord last night!!😀😀

However, he was an admirer/respecter of McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone, Tommy Burns, Danny McGrain and Kenny Dalglish.

I think I remember a few of my Uncles disliking Auld and he certainly got ‘pelters’ in the ‘best West of Scotland Industrial Language’😀any time a side he managed played Rangers. Partick Thistle and Hibs from memory.

The players your old man admired were indeed great players. Jinky was one of those great Scottish wingers who had the ball stuck to their boots. As for McGrain one of the finest full-backs of all time. I can't recall English clubs trying to sign him but may be wrong.

[Boyne]

6 hours ago, erskblue said:

Ronnie McKinnon and Billy McNeil at the end of a Celtic v Rangers match in the late 1960s or early 1970s. 
Sadly Ronnie McKinnon passed away recently.

Great players. Look at the state of the pitch. Looks like the Baseball ground. Makes the Wembley pitch for the 1970 FA Cup Final look good. A lovely tribute to Ronnie last night. A shame that Billy was one of many players who suffered from Dementia. I remember a few years back he was involved in the draw for a competition - I can't remember which one - and he didn't look well. Early onset of Dementia?

[erskblue]

16 hours ago, Boyne said:

The players your old man admired were indeed great players. Jinky was one of those great Scottish wingers who had the ball stuck to their boots. As for McGrain one of the finest full-backs of all time. I can't recall English clubs trying to sign him but may be wrong.

No I can’t remember any English clubs trying to sign Danny McGrain. When  he was at his peak 1974-77 he was a genuine world class full back.

[erskblue]

 Danny McGrain on his Scotland debut against Wales at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. 12th May 1973.

Willie Morgan during the same match.

Unusual for Scotland to wear a change strip during the Home Internationals.

Edited September 24 by erskblue

[erskblue]

The Danny and Sandy show.

The 19th of May 1973 marked the anniversary of the first time Daniel ‘Danny’ Fergus McGrain and William ‘Sandy’ Pullar Jardine were paired together in a Scottish side.

Although, both were natural right backs, it was to Danny’s credit that he was able to switch wings almost seamlessly.

It was Willie Ormond who first put them together.

Danny was on his third cap having been paired with Willie Donachie over the previous Home International games, but was switched to left back to accommodate Sandy Jardine on the right, winning his fifth cap.

Sadly, it was not a winning start as Scotland lost to England 1-0. Peter Shilton making a genuine World Class save from Kenny Dalglish. 

This game also marked Colin Stein’s last game for Scotland as he came on as a sub for Peter Lorimer; Willie Morgan made way for Joe Jordan to win his first cap that day too.

Danny and Sandy were paired together for two more games that summer, which saw further defeats to Switzerland and Brazil.

However, it was game number four that set Scotland alight and cemented their partnership as Scotland finally qualified for the World Cup by beating Czechoslovakia, on that unforgettable night at Hampden in September, 1973.

They both played together in the away tie in Bratislava in a meaningless 1-0 defeat.

This was followed by a credible draw against World Cup hosts West Germany at Hampden with Jim Holton scoring the Scotland goal. Over the next few games, Erich Schaedler, Donachie and David Hay were all played at left back with Sandy.

The latter game against Wales saw Sandy Jardine score from a penalty in a 2-0  win.

However, they returned for the big one which saw Scotland beat England 2-0 in front of a jubilant but soaked  Hampden crowd of just under 100,000. And had been wowed by the performance of Jimmy Johnstone that day.

Two World Cup warm ups games against Belgium and Norway followed with mixed fortunes, both games ending 2-1, with the Belgians getting the better of us once again.

Then it was time for the Majors with Sandy and Danny playing in all three of our World Cup games.

After, the World Cup was over Danny McGrain was diagnosed as having diabetes which in time, in his inimitable fashion, he conquered.

 In the meantime Alex Forsyth of Manchester United took his place including a 2-1 defeat to Spain in a Euro qualifier on a cold, cold night at Hampden that I might have mentioned before.

Danny returned for the away game against Spain where the Scots fought out a one all draw but in terms of qualifying the damage had been done.

Danny and Sandy played for the next five games and both were in attendance the day we got pumped 5-1 by England. Nuff said.

It would be just under two years before Willie Ormond picked Sandy Jardine again. Sandy came on as a sub for Ronnie Glavin, in what would be Willie’s last game in charge.

Ally McLeod also used Sandy as a sub a couple of more times, before getting the band back together again for a home World Cup qualifier against Czechoslovakia (who else?), which of course we won 3-1.

Danny missed the next game, the decider at Anfield against Wales on 10th October 1977 and indeed missed the whole of 1978 World Cup campaign through injury.

Sandy would flit in and out of the team and had slipped down the totem pole with Stuart Kennedy of Aberdeen being preferred but did in fact play in that nightmare of a game against Iran in Argentina.

So was that the end of the road for the Danny and Sandy show?

Well no, there was one last hurrah. Jock Stein had chosen Sandy on quite a few occasions at the start of season ’79-’80 and indeed made him Captain for a few games.

On 21st November, 1979 Danny returned to the fold to play alongside Sandy for the last time.

Unfortunately it was against Belgium (do we ever beat them, even when they’re ordinary?) and saw Scotland go down 3-1 at Hampden as our hopes for Euro 1980 went down the tubes.

Sandy won his 38th cap that night and had captained Scotland on 9 occasions.

Danny would go on to win 62 caps and captained the side on ten occasions.

Their record of playing together wasn’t one of invincibility and indeed they only played 20 games as a pairing, but they were together on some of our greatest nights.

It was the magic of having two great overlapping full backs in the side at the same time, which made those times so exciting.

Coming from either side of the Old Firm, they transcended the divide, as both were gentlemen and played with heart for their clubs and country and we loved them for it.

David Stuart

www.scotlandepistles.com

Boyne: Thought you would enjoy this article.Was not sure where else to post it.

[erskblue]

Sepp Maier, the great Bayern Munich and West Germany keeper of the 1960s and 70s.

[Boyne]

On 24/09/2023 at 07:34, erskblue said:

The Danny and Sandy show.

The 19th of May 1973 marked the anniversary of the first time Daniel ‘Danny’ Fergus McGrain and William ‘Sandy’ Pullar Jardine were paired together in a Scottish side.

Although, both were natural right backs, it was to Danny’s credit that he was able to switch wings almost seamlessly.

It was Willie Ormond who first put them together.

Danny was on his third cap having been paired with Willie Donachie over the previous Home International games, but was switched to left back to accommodate Sandy Jardine on the right, winning his fifth cap.

Sadly, it was not a winning start as Scotland lost to England 1-0. Peter Shilton making a genuine World Class save from Kenny Dalglish. 

This game also marked Colin Stein’s last game for Scotland as he came on as a sub for Peter Lorimer; Willie Morgan made way for Joe Jordan to win his first cap that day too.

Danny and Sandy were paired together for two more games that summer, which saw further defeats to Switzerland and Brazil.

However, it was game number four that set Scotland alight and cemented their partnership as Scotland finally qualified for the World Cup by beating Czechoslovakia, on that unforgettable night at Hampden in September, 1973.

They both played together in the away tie in Bratislava in a meaningless 1-0 defeat.

This was followed by a credible draw against World Cup hosts West Germany at Hampden with Jim Holton scoring the Scotland goal. Over the next few games, Erich Schaedler, Donachie and David Hay were all played at left back with Sandy.

The latter game against Wales saw Sandy Jardine score from a penalty in a 2-0  win.

However, they returned for the big one which saw Scotland beat England 2-0 in front of a jubilant but soaked  Hampden crowd of just under 100,000. And had been wowed by the performance of Jimmy Johnstone that day.

Two World Cup warm ups games against Belgium and Norway followed with mixed fortunes, both games ending 2-1, with the Belgians getting the better of us once again.

Then it was time for the Majors with Sandy and Danny playing in all three of our World Cup games.

After, the World Cup was over Danny McGrain was diagnosed as having diabetes which in time, in his inimitable fashion, he conquered.

 In the meantime Alex Forsyth of Manchester United took his place including a 2-1 defeat to Spain in a Euro qualifier on a cold, cold night at Hampden that I might have mentioned before.

Danny returned for the away game against Spain where the Scots fought out a one all draw but in terms of qualifying the damage had been done.

Danny and Sandy played for the next five games and both were in attendance the day we got pumped 5-1 by England. Nuff said.

It would be just under two years before Willie Ormond picked Sandy Jardine again. Sandy came on as a sub for Ronnie Glavin, in what would be Willie’s last game in charge.

Ally McLeod also used Sandy as a sub a couple of more times, before getting the band back together again for a home World Cup qualifier against Czechoslovakia (who else?), which of course we won 3-1.

Danny missed the next game, the decider at Anfield against Wales on 10th October 1977 and indeed missed the whole of 1978 World Cup campaign through injury.

Sandy would flit in and out of the team and had slipped down the totem pole with Stuart Kennedy of Aberdeen being preferred but did in fact play in that nightmare of a game against Iran in Argentina.

So was that the end of the road for the Danny and Sandy show?

Well no, there was one last hurrah. Jock Stein had chosen Sandy on quite a few occasions at the start of season ’79-’80 and indeed made him Captain for a few games.

On 21st November, 1979 Danny returned to the fold to play alongside Sandy for the last time.

Unfortunately it was against Belgium (do we ever beat them, even when they’re ordinary?) and saw Scotland go down 3-1 at Hampden as our hopes for Euro 1980 went down the tubes.

Sandy won his 38th cap that night and had captained Scotland on 9 occasions.

Danny would go on to win 62 caps and captained the side on ten occasions.

Their record of playing together wasn’t one of invincibility and indeed they only played 20 games as a pairing, but they were together on some of our greatest nights.

It was the magic of having two great overlapping full backs in the side at the same time, which made those times so exciting.

Coming from either side of the Old Firm, they transcended the divide, as both were gentlemen and played with heart for their clubs and country and we loved them for it.

David Stuart

www.scotlandepistles.com

Boyne: Thought you would enjoy this article.Was not sure where else to post it.

Great article. Thanks for posting. Great full backs. Two of the very best. As we know a wonderful gesture to have the Govan Stand at Ibrox renamed the Sandy Jardine Stand.

[Boyne]

Some Rangers greats in this picture. At Mr. Singh's restaurant in Glasgow.

[erskblue]

19 hours ago, Boyne said:

Some Rangers greats in this picture. At Mr. Singh's restaurant in Glasgow.

Totally agree,

Peter McCloy

Derek Johnstone

Alex McDonald

Willie Henderson, Derek Parlane, Colin Stein, Kris Boyd, Willie Johnston.

[Boyne]

The Tin Man wasn't going to argue with Jock!

[erskblue]

9 hours ago, Boyne said:

The Tin Man wasn't going to argue with Jock!

Back in October 1984, when Ted McMinn first heard of Rangers interest in signing him. He thought it was Berwick Rangers!😀

[erskblue]

Peter Shilton playing for Leicester City in his white goalkeeper’s strip in 1973. 

[erskblue]

Two goalkeeping greats Gordon Banks  (left) and Peter Shilton (right). Pictured training with the Leicester City squad at the club's Filbert Street ground, 1965. 

[erskblue]

England v Poland, Wembley, 18th October 1973: Peter Shilton is unable to watch, as Allan Clarke scores from the penalty spot to make the score 1-1. 
 

[erskblue]

Zola pictured with Alessandro Del Piero, two stars of Italian football, which grew in popularity on these shores thanks to Channel 4's Football Italia

[Boyne]

Scotland v England at Hampden Park in 1956. George Young and Billy Wright leading out the teams. The score was 1-1 and the attendance was 132,817.

[Scott]

[erskblue]

20 hours ago, Boyne said:

Scotland v England at Hampden Park in 1956. George Young and Billy Wright leading out the teams. The score was 1-1 and the attendance was 132,817.

Two legendary players for their respective clubs and countries.

[erskblue]

[erskblue]

Bobby Charlton scores the only goal of the game for England against Scotland.April 1959.

Scottish supporters packed the Wembley Terraces in the hope of a Scotland victory. April 1959.

Bobby Charltons goal put paid to that hope.

Just like this picture from the April 1959 match.

Many of my male relatives attended this match.They came down every two years, more in Hope than expectation of a Scotland victory.

They did, it has to be admitted, consume ‘a fair amount of alcohol’ during their two yearly visits !😀

Edited October 5 by erskblue

[erskblue]

England 2-2 Scotland.Players from both sides shake hands at the Final Whistle. 10th April 1965.
 

[The Rising Sun]

On 22/09/2023 at 14:51, Boyne said:

The players your old man admired were indeed great players. Jinky was one of those great Scottish wingers who had the ball stuck to their boots. As for McGrain one of the finest full-backs of all time. I can't recall English clubs trying to sign him but may be wrong.

Heard this ages ago. Dunno if it's true but...

Rangers player was asked what his favourite season was.

He said the year ..the guy replied." but Rangers didn't win anything that year "

"No, but 2 Popes died and Danny McGrain broke his leg "

[Boyne]

14 hours ago, erskblue said:

Two legendary players for their respective clubs and countries.

Very true. George 'Corky' Young was a giant of a man. First Scot to receive 50 caps for playing for the national side. One of Rangers greatest ever players.

[Boyne]

On 01/10/2023 at 07:40, erskblue said:

England v Poland, Wembley, 18th October 1973: Peter Shilton is unable to watch, as Allan Clarke scores from the penalty spot to make the score 1-1. 
 

Remember watching that game. Can't believe it's nearly fifty years ago. Jan Tomaszewski was superb that night. So much for being a clown as he was described by Clough.

Edited October 5 by Boyne

[erskblue]

Looks like Joe Jordan in action for Scotland v Northern Ireland at Hampden in May 1976.