78

Graham McColl

Against the backdrop of nationalism devolution and North Sea oil Scotland were the only British team to qualify for the 1978 World Cup and set off with genuine hopes of returning champions. But it all went horribly wrong. Beaten by Peru a country few could point to on a map and drawing with Iran Scotland faced Holland needing to win by three goals. Incredibly the Scots conjured up one of the greatest goals in World Cup history to give themselves a chance...but it wasn't to be. Throughout this entertaining account the cast of characters stands out: manager Ally McLeod more a friendly uncle than world-class strategist; the monstrously permed part-time goalkeeper Alan Rough; and wide-boy Willie Johnstone sent home after failing a drugs test. Yet despite the resounding failure and humiliation Argentina '78 is still viewed with great affection. Perhaps for the last time Scotland had a world-class team and after all if you end up beating the runners-up doesn't that mean you are the winners?