As the next tartan-clad invader raced across the surface and attempted to mount the Wembley goalposts, the crossbar bent and finally broke.
It was to be the only thing which came crashing down immediately after Ally MacLeod’s side had defeated England 2-1 in 1977 thanks to Gordon McQueen and Kenny Dalglish. Expectations for Scotland in that time were to be found somewhere beyond the ozone layer.
That summer, the national team would embark on a tour of South America in the full expectation they’d return there a year later to make an indelible mark on the World Cup in Argentina.
MacLeod’s men beat Chile 4-2 in Santiago before drawing 1-1 with champions-in-waiting Argentina in Buenos Aires. Despite going down 2-0 to Brazil in Rio, they came home justifiably believing that they could mix it with the best of them.
From the minute qualification was secured via Dalglish’s flying header against Wales at Anfield, there wasn’t a person in the country who didn’t buy into the manager’s hyperbolic predictions. No one, certainly, contemplated the catastrophe which lay in store.
Much was made of MacLeod’s preparations — or, more pointedly, the lack of them. Not once did he or any of his staff watch Peru, Iran or the Netherlands in the flesh.
Steve Clarke will hope his side can entertain at the World Cup after two dreadful Euros
‘You can prepare by becoming too dossier-minded,’ he said. ‘What I’ve decided to do is to try and win the World Cup by preparing my own team to perfection.’
Unfortunately, this didn’t extend to hiring a hotel which had water in its pool or carpets on the bedroom floors. The armed guards outside the property in Alta Gracia probably didn’t help the ambiance either.
Yet, the undeniable truth was also that the side which MacLeod saw as his best option had peaked the previous year.
Bruce Rioch and Don Masson were by then in their 30s, yet were both preferred to the youthful figure of Graeme Souness, who’d just won the European Cup with Liverpool.
Joe Harper, who replaced Dalglish in the dismal draw with Iran, was 30. Derek Johnstone, then aged 24 and coming off an outstanding personal season with Rangers, didn’t once get off the bench,
Willie Johnston, who was sent home in shame after failing a drugs test, was 31 as was Archie Gemmill, who defied the advancing years to score a legendary if ultimately futile goal in the last stand against the Dutch in Mendoza.
Ally MacLeod holds his head in his hands as it all goes badly wrong at the 1978 World Cup
Almost half a century on, the hope must be that history doesn’t repeat itself. While it will be a cold day in hell before Steve Clarke’s boasts about retaining the World Cup (as his predecessor famously did) there are legitimate concerns that we may already have seen the zenith of the current side.
When Clarke ended a 23-year wait to make a finals by qualifying for the delayed Euro 2020, the squad he selected was the eighth youngest of the 24 competing nations with an average age of 26.77.
By the time Euro 2024 came around, Scotland had the second oldest group with an average age of 28.3. Only host Germany’s was higher at 28.6.
Only six of the 48 squads at the World Cup comprise of players with an average age higher than Scotland’s 29.19. Only five players — Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher — were born this century.
Half of Clarke’s 26 are under the age of 30, but, of those, only Hickey and Scott McTominay would be considered certain starters when the curtain comes up against Haiti on June 13.
While the manager plainly needs experienced hands, he also must guard against packing his side with too many players whose ageing limbs might struggle to cope with the oppressive heat and humidity which awaits in Boston and Miami.
For all the team qualified in unforgettable style with that 4-2 win over Denmark in November, only those fans with selective memories will be oblivious to the real story.
Scotland enjoyed the ultimate high in the qualifying win over Denmark… but was that the peak?
Scotland were solid in Copenhagen and competent against Belarus in Hungary. Clarke’s side were second best at home to Greece yet somehow won and were fortunate to see off the Belarusians at Hampden. They were also rank rotten in Athens, three goals down until a late flurry made it interesting.
The fact that it was all right on the final glorious night against the Danes doesn’t mean that concerns about some of the old stagers were without merit. Truth be told, they are still lurking just beneath the surface.
What a story it would be if Craig Gordon fulfils his lifelong ambition by playing on the greatest show on earth at the age of 43.
Should the Hearts man be given the nod ahead of Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly, only fellow goalkeeper Essam El Hadary of Egypt, at 45 years and 161 days, will be above him in the all-time list.
The romantic in you would love to see Gordon granted his wish. But the pragmatist would harbour concerns for a player who last played for his club in January before a run-out against Curacao.
In this specialist position, though, the manager isn’t exactly spoiled for choice.
What of Grant Hanley, a long-standing favourite of the manager and one of the first names on the team-sheet when he played down south?
Grant Hanley is one of a number of ageing stars who must be used sparingly in the States
The battle-hardened defender is now 34. Injuries and suspensions have limited him to nine appearances for Hibs this year. The prospect of playing three taxing games in 12 days must be a concern.
Kenny McLean is the same vintage as Hanley. He’s never let Scotland down and played 42 times for Norwich this season, but no man can hold back time. With Billy Gilmour ruled out, there’s a clear danger in asking too much of him.
Skipper Andy Robertson is less of a concern, yet the man who’s just left Liverpool after nine years is now 32. Few full-backs are in their prime at that stage.
Fresh from lifting the Europa League with Aston Villa, John McGinn still charges about the park like a 21-year-old. Even he may feel that he’s actually a decade older when Haiti’s midfield tyros are turned loose on him. The same applies to the fresh-faced Ryan Christie, who’s just four months younger.
Like MacLeod back in the day, Clarke has more youthful options at his disposal. This time, it’s to be hoped the Scotland manager utilises them.
Scott McKenna is 29 but is still the youngest of the options at centre-half. To keep it fresh, Clarke might be tempted to alternate partnering the Dinamo Zagreb man with Hanley and Jack Hendry (now 31).
Kenny Dalglish scores against the Netherlands in 1978… but who will be the heroes this time?
Kieran Tierney, who turns 29 on Friday, is a more than able deputy for Robertson once his legs can give no more.
Curtis, who impressed from the bench against Curacao, is just 19 with Gannon-Doak a year older.
Lewis Ferguson is approaching his prime at 26 so should stay the course. Fletcher booked his place on the charter with a display against Curacao which belied his 19 years on the planet. Despite never starting a game for Manchester United, he could provide valuable depth for Clarke.
The experience in a squad will naturally be vital to success, but this unique tournament demands that youth is also given its place.
MacLeod’s fall from grace was precipitated by a failure to appreciate that age was creeping up on his side. There’s no reason for the current incumbent to be left with his head in his hands.
