The former manager of Scotland, Manchester United and many others was an unconventional and outspoken characterTommy Docherty spent a lifetime breaching convention. From a loft – a “doocot” to Docherty – atop the main stand at Stamford Bridge, he could be found peering down on Chelsea. Docherty, the club’s manager from 1961 until 1967, determined he could have a better view of play from on high.If that was a footballing break from the norm, Docherty’s departure from Manchester United in the summer of 1977 because of an affair with the physiotherapist’s wife dominated Britain’s news agenda. Docherty later married Mary Brown – the pair remained together until his death aged 92 – and apparently bore no grudges at all about...
John Collins scored a penalty against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup’s opening game. He explains what it means to see Scotland back at a major tournamentI’ll never forget when we played Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup. I knew I was the penalty taker so, like most athletes, you visualise and think about what you would do in certain positions and I picked my spot the night before. My secret was never to change my mind and thankfully for me it hit the back of the net. It was a special feeling to equalise against the mighty Brazil and get our team back into the game in front of all our fans. Wonderful memories. Related:...
Prague steels itself for England’s fans, Ireland may have a new hero in Aaron Connolly and Scotland are desperate to find goalsIn what looks certain to resemble the world’s most unedifying stag party, an estimated 6,000 England fans will descend on Prague to watch Gareth Southgate’s team take on the Czech Republic. Unsurprisingly designated as a “high risk” fixture, this Friday night game will attract no shortage of thirsty visitors to the Czech capital, hellbent on making a weekend of it in a city renowned for the cheapness of its beer and myriad other nocturnal delights. Scheduled to kick off at 8.45pm local time, when more patriotic fans will have had all day to occupy the city’s Old Town Square,...
Germany v Netherlands should be another belter, Chad make their return and will Brighton’s Mac Allister play for Argentina?Before October 2018, the Netherlands had not kicked a ball in anger against Germany for six years. When the teams walk out for the Group C qualifier in Hamburg, it will be the fourth time the fierce rivals have faced each other in 11 months. Not that neutrals should be complaining. There have been 12 goals in the two Nations League matches and one Euro 2020 qualifier that have been played since – and some scintillating football. Nico Schulz’s 90th-minute strike for Germany sealed a 3-2 victory in a pulsating qualifier at the Johan Cruyff Arena in March that left the Dutch...
Euro 2020 embarrassment has shown Scotland to be bereft of organisation, inspiration and strategy, and the Scottish Football Association is to blameLong before Sunday lunchtime the noise and conspiracy attached to a meeting of Celtic and Rangers will have reduced Scotland’s humiliation in Kazakhstan to an afterthought, which is precisely the way those presiding over the national team want it.Any self-respecting governing body would have jettisoned Alex McLeish after the 3-0 defeat in Astana. Instead, the manager was left to reflect on a “bright start” – Scotland were 2-0 down after 10 minutes – as his paymasters began their latest game of hide and seek. By the time Scotland’s travelling circus reached San Marino, McLeish was unwilling to “dwell on...