June 11 - Archie Gemmill’s Moment of Glory

AS none of the home nations made it to Euro 2008 (which is beginning to shape up nicely thanks to Holland and Spain) today we are going back thirty years to an international tournament that was graced by a British side.

The England team had failed again to qualify for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina so it was left to Scotland to show what they could do on the world stage. At first, it didn’t look like they could do much as they lost 3-1 to Peru in their opening game and followed this up with a disappointing 1-1 draw with World Cup newcomers Iran.

Things were looking bleak for the Scots who went into a daunting looking final group match with Holland on this day needing to win by three goals to progress. Things looked even worse when the Dutch scored a penalty on 34 minutes but Kenny Dalglish hit back ten minutes later, and an Archie Gemmill penalty early in the second half gave the Scots a 2-1 lead.

Gemmill was not finished there though and with 68 minutes played he produced a stunning piece of skill to score Scotland’s most memorable goal.

The Scotsman reported: “The little midfield player homed in on goal, played a magnificent one-two with Dalglish, then sprinted into the box and thumped a glorious goal past Jongbloed to revive all the hopes which had died the death this past fortnight.

“It was an extraordinary goal and an extraordinary moment. Suddenly Scotland were dreaming of glory again.”

Sadly for the Scots, Holland were about to tread on those dreams when Johnny Rep scored a 25-yarder to bring the score to 3-2 and end Scotland’s hopes of coming away with the three goal margin they needed to progress. They were out, but they were out in style.

The goal is lauded as the best ever scored in a Scotland shirt and was immortalised in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting when Renton exclaims: “I haven’t felt this good since Archie Gemmill scored against Holland in the 1978 World Cup,” after getting his end away.

Watch the goal below and come back tomorrow when reading our little offering will in no way make up for England’s failure to make it to Euro 2008 but might waste a couple of minutes while you’re at work.

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