THE LATE Bernard Attenborough – Uncle of you know who, journalist, foreign correspondent and – as James S Rand – best-selling author, used to say: “It was one thing to be capped by the News Chronicle, but, the wise man waited for the BBC to confirm the honour.” That was back in the day, however, recent events mean 'Auntie' is no longer seen as the journalistic organ of record.
However, as we crawl away from the wreckage of last night, the BBC Shortbread stories appear to be correct – WE ARE GOING TO THE 2026 WORLD CUP. “Yippee Kai Hay Muddafukka”.
In view of the opposition, I did not feel it appropriate to break into my stash of Carlsberg Elephant to toast our success. I passed on the 20-year-old Glen Livet – I am saving that for our first win over the All Blacks, so the Glenmorangie was used to salute Sir Stephen Clarke and the troops.
It is said: “If you don't like the Scottish weather, just wait 15 minutes and it will change”; last night showed, that is also true about the 2025 vintage of our national football team. Long experience has taught me, you never know what you are going to get from the national XI, but, in this most-vital of matches, Clarke's Cohort took this to ridiculous lengths.
It was a typically-fraught evening, stretching well beyond the mandatory 90 minutes, but, what a finish – I suppose, when we get around to celebrating the golden anniversary of this victory, there will be at least two million Tartan Army veterans swearing on oath: “I was there”.
I had to make do with the BBC Shortbread coverage, and, while they reached almost ITV Englandshire levels of commentary bias – which is allowed if you are watching the purely-Scottish feed – I suppose, we can let the weans off with it, particularly whichever one of Steven Thompson and James McFadden encouraged Kenny McLean to “Shoot!!!” for that outrageous fourth goal.
But, how typically Scottish, to score three “Worldies” - world class goals, plus one from a goal-mouth stramash, whilst, at the other end, putting us through the mill with some last-gasp defending. I still don't think the Danish penalty, foul though it was, was inside the box, but, the Polish referee was consistent throughout and I have no complaints about him.
I feel sure, this Danish team can navigate the play-offs and join us in the Americas, they were a good side, but, Hampden on such evenings has an aura which has undone better sides than they. I find it difficult, however, to feel sympathy for the Danish manager, castigating the referee after defeat – dignity Sir, dignity.
I thought Scott McTominay's opener was a bit special – perhaps the best bicycle-kick goal since Pele scored in Escape To Victory. The other three weren't bad either, and what about Craig Gordon, surely now, at long last, set to do a Denis Law and end his career at a World Cup.
Now the real work begins, for the players and the SFA backroom staff, but, also for the Tartan Army. Iwonder what outlandish travel plans will be dreamed-up? Is that old submarine from 1978 still around? I would love to be going, but, I will be in my 80th year – if I last that long – when the World Cup begins, and such campaigns are jobs for the youngsters. In any case, while it would be nice to check-in with the Canadian and American branches of the Clan, I don't really fancy visiting Trump's America. That said, should Euromillions oblige me, I might do the trip in style.
Going by past World Cups, it will be a roller-coaster ride between now and the Summer, it will be fun, but, you have to feel for the Dibs and the Dobs, as Alex Cameron dubbed them, for the next seven months they will be no more than support acts, rather than bill-toppers. But, please, Alex, stay out of the recording studio, ditto Sir Rod Stewart.
It was a great night, and Scotland is standing that wee bit taller this morning. By the way, I just knew we would win. On the basis of bad news coming in threes, after our Rugby team losing back-to-back games against New Zealand and Argentina, and with that Greek Tragedy from Saturday night thrown-in, we had had our three disasters, we were therefore sure to dump the Danes.
The SFA Comms team have put up on their Facebook page, a post-game interview with Sir Stephen. It's very illuminating, he's typically humble and laid-back, but, he did highlight one thing for which he deserves praise which he has yet to receive – his belief in his squad.
The bar room “experts” - some journalists even, have questioned some of the players who Clarkie keeps on picking in Scotland squads. But, he keeps picking them and they keep delivering. For years, we saw players in and out of Scotland squads, chopping and changing, Clarke has done away with this and picked his men – who have repaid him with this qualification. There is something to be said for consistency of selection.
A final thought on last night. I have long felt the Tartan Army saw Flower of Scotland as a challenge – to try to beat the band to the finish. Last night, when we adopted the Rugby version: pipes for verse one, then A'Capella, the TA really stood up. I have long thought the anthem before the 1990 Grand Slam Rugby Game – The Grudge - was the definitive rendition, last night, the Football TA kicked that one into touch. Spine-tingling.
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