Archives: Scotland 2 - 1 England: Kenny Dalglish comes into his own as Scotland conquer Auld Enemy

One shudders from destroying the mood which even had "Flower of Scotland" sounding melodious and stirring but Czechoslovakia will not be beaten by revellers' tales and enthusiasms. We would play devil's advocate and state the cold-blooded case about Saturday's match.

One of the worst England teams ever the play at Hampden Park were beaten only by a fluke goal. Clemence, who is probably the best goalkeeper in Europe, allowed Dalglish's loosely struck shot to pass between his hands and then between his legs. Any primary school goalkeeper would have expected to save the shot and as Don Revie said afterwards: "If he lived to be 90 he would not repeat the mistake."

There was so much to like about the Scotland team and it was to be preferred to the last World Cup team in that they were bent on going forward. Billy Bremner had that World Cup team obsessed with organisation at the back and just in front of the penalty area. Archie Gemmill prefers to hold the play in front of the midfield. The fault on Saturday was that the team was right sided. All the quality was on that side of the field and such quality it was as would have drawn admiring adjectives in any era of Scottish football. We had always known that Danny McGrain was a bit above the ordinary but not until Saturday had we realised how far he had gone above the hard line that separates the great from the world class player.

Officially he was a full back, and the best on view but one could argue he was also the best midfield player and the best forward besides being the coolest and most nonchalant player on the field. His greatness showed in the amount of time he always seemed to have. That is a characteristic of the greats in all sports.

In front of him Kenny Dalglish exploded the myth that he cannot play well in a Scotland jersey. Rather he made clear the reason why previously he has not played to his best form. It simply has been that he has not had the right men to play with. He needs quality beside him to anticipate his intentions and give him a target and quality to note his sprints into space and use them.

Dalglish is Don Masson's type of player. This latest Scotland discovery is made for Dalglish as Dalglish is made for him. With McGrain also on the right side that makes for impressive and skilful articulation and Joe Jordan had the strength in the challenge and the mastery in the air these fellows could use.One just wishes that Jordan was a better shot for he would be a more regular goal-scorer and while his strength has to be admired it also has to be remembered that its use is resented abroad. To set up a physical situation in Prague would be to the detriment of the play of Masson and Dalglish.

The left side of the team was as plonk against champagne compared to the right side. Eddie Gray, who was in because he was that rarity, a left-sided player, and because it was thought he would provide tasty crosses for Jordan, provided very little and the wonder was that he was not replaced sooner.

After the match against Wales I had been worried about having Bruce Rioch and Masson in the same midfield three. They are both static players. They did not blend again on Saturday and Rioch was seldom seen in the game. He has great qualities but one of them is not a high work-rate.

Archie Gemmill was left to do too much work and his touch on the ball was off and that is something which happens some time or other to most players. It was annoying for him that it should hit him on the most exciting day of his football life.

But what does one say about Tom Forsyth? Last week when Tommy Docherty made that ill-advised statement making the comparison between Forsyth and Martin Buchan as a Clydesdale and a racehorse most people were openly deploring the outburst while secretly agreeing that there was much in what he said.

On Hampden's field, Forsyth was the great Wollow and surely he can never have played a better game of football. Willie Ormond must be eternally grateful for that tackle so exquisitely judged in the second last minute which prevented Channon from nullifying all Scotland's previously stirring mastery.

Jackson was steady beside this inspiring Forsyth and on his left, Willie Donachie, played his best game for Scotland.

There was so much to like about the Scotland team but the depressing truth is you have to like all of a team which is going to have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals. Willie Ormond is fortunate that the area of study is so localised and just on that little area on the left.

Dalglish was at his best on Saturday coming in from the right. Surely this is his best international position but maybe he would be just as effective coming in from the left. That would make a place for Pettigrew, for he, too, is at his best coming in from the right.

At any rate Willie Ormond's worries are insignificant beside those of Don Revie. He had Kennedy playing so poorly that we were sorry for him. Taylor playing like the Third Division winger he is, and mediocrity scattered all over the field. They were only kept from disaster by the experience of Todd and McFarland. And Revie plays Brazil in the States with that lot.

But why should we worry? We are on the right road and can afford to be critical in victory. That is a healthy sign.