Scotland 1978 Retro Football Shirt

The FIFA World Cup Argentina '78. Scotland were drawn in Group 4 alongside Peru, Iran and the Netherlands. To get there Scotland had to navigate a 3 team World Cup Qualifying Group against 1976 UEFA European Champions Czechoslovakia and 'local rivals' Wales. The pivotal World Cup Qualifying Group 7 match took place on Wednesday 12 October 1977. Wales v Scotland.  At Anfield. The FAW (Football Association of Wales) staged the game in Liverpool in order to maximise commercial revenue with Anfield being considerably larger than both Ninian Park and The Racecourse Ground, and it must be remembered that both John Toshack and Joey Jones of Wales were still Liverpool players, and would be playing at 'home'. Unfortunately for Wales so was Kenny Dalglish.

Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish made his full international debut at Pittodrie for Scotland against Belgium on 10 November 1971, replacing Hibernian's Alex Cropley at half-time. In the same match, John Hansen, the brother of Alan Hansen, made his Scotland debut too, replacing Celtic's Jimmy Johnstone in the 79th minute. Scotland won 1-0 courtesy of a 5th minute goal from Derby County's John O'Hare.

At Anfield on the way to Argentina '78 Dalglish was making his 50th appearance for Scotland, was three months into his Liverpool career, on the way to becoming 'King Kenny', and the greatest footballer Liverpool FC and Scotland would ever see. On the night Scotland captain Don Masson put Scotland ahead from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. 9 minutes later Dalglish sealed the deal with a razor's edge header from a Martin Buchan cross. The travelling Tartan Army raised the roof off The Annie Road End, and The Kop, and The Kemlyn, and The Main Stand too. The Tartan Army had turned Anfield into Hampden Park for the night, and now: "We're on the march with Ally's Army. We're going to the Argentine. And we'll really shake 'em up. When we win the world cup. 'Cause Scotland are the greatest football team."

At The FIFA World Cup Argentina '78 Scotland began in Córdoba versus Peru where after 15 minutes Joe Jordan did what Joe Jordan always did, and scored in The World Cup Finals for Scotland. Peru equalised on half-time but the game turned on Don Masson's missed penalty in the second half whereafter Teófilo Cubillas took over for Peru, and Scotland then lost a match they should have won - Inexplicable.  Scotland's second Group 4 match in Córdoba is the 1-1 draw with Iran where somehow Scotland contrived to draw a match it was seemingly impossible not to win - Inexplicable. The Netherlands awaited in the final Group 4 match, and Scotland needed a miracle, as only a win by three clear goals would  be enough to qualify from the group. With Manager Ally MacLeod finally selecting Graeme Souness in midfield Scotland went for it, and struck the crossbar and had two goals disallowed inside the first 20 minutes before Rob Rensenbrink put The Dutch in front. Dalglish equalised with a brilliant swivelled half-volley, and in the second half Scotland's No15 Archie Gemmell converted a penalty and then sashayed, nutmegged and slalomed his way to score one of the greatest goals in FIFA World Cup Finals history. 3-1 to Scotland and the miracle of Mendoza was on, until Johnny Rep crashed a second Dutch goal two minutes later. Scotland had been magnificent, taken Total Football to the Dutch, taken them to the wire, and nearly pulled off the impossible - Inexplicable. All of it.

Score Draw Official Retro Shirt Match:

Wales 0 v 2 Scotland.

Wednesday 12 October 1977.

1978 World Cup Qualifying Group 7.

Anfield.

Attendance 50,850.

Scotland: Alan Rough. Sandy Jardine (Martin Buchan). Willie Donachie. Tom Forsyth. Gordon McQueen. Don Masson. Kenny Dalglish. Asa Hartford. Joe Jordan. Lou Macari. Willie Johnston.

Scotland 1978 FIFA World Cup Finals Squad: 

1.Alan Rough (Partick Thistle). 2.Sandy Jardine (Rangers). 3.Willie Donachie (Manchester City). 4.Martin Buchan (Manchester United). 5.Gordon McQueen (Manchester United). 6.Bruce Rioch (Derby County). 7.Don Masson (Derby County). 8.Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool). 9.Joe Jordan (Manchester United). 10.Asa Hartford (Manchester City). 11.Willie Johnston (West Bromwich Albion). 12.Jim Blyth (Coventry City). 13.Stuart Kennedy (Aberdeen). 14.Tom Forsyth (Rangers). 15.Archie Gemmell (Nottingham Forest). 16.Lou Macari (Manchester United). 17.Derek Johnstone (Rangers). 18.Graeme Souness (Liverpool). 19.John Robertson (Nottingham Forest). 20.Bobby Clarke (Aberdeen). 21.Joe  Harper (Aberdeen). 22.Kenny Burns ( Nottingham Forest).