Special Goals Should Be Applauded Whoever Scores

THE object of the game of Association Football is to win, by scoring more goals than the opposition. It stands to reason therefore, that old Nick Smith was right, back in The Rover of blessed 1950s memory, when his adventures were headed: “It's Goals That Count.”

That goal

So, I have news for all those media men, who have been positively wetting themseves with excitement since CR7 propelled himself into the Turin air on Tuesday night to unleash that spectacular bicycle kick goal past Gianluigi Buffon – that wasn't the first goal ever scored. For all that, it was a memorable effort, which will be long remembered, as much for the: “what could I have done about it” shrug from the Juve defender who was supposed to be marking him.

But, goals do count, and, although they don't count double – truly memorable strikes are remembered, long after the other 89 minutes, however many seconds of the game they were scored in, are forgotten.

I had to write a couple of Ray Wilkins obituaries, for different papers, yesterday. Now, unlike CR7, “The Crab” didn't score many goals, but, when he did, they tended to live long in the memory. His 22-yard volley against Celtic, in the 5-1 Ibrox win for Rangers in 1988, is still lovingly recalled by Ra Peepul, as was his only slightly shorter range effort against the same opponents later that season.

The televised tributes to: “The Nicest Man in Football” also showed his solo goal for England against Belgium in the 1980 Euros, and that got me thinking – what are my top ten of “Most Memorable Goals.”:

1. Jackie McInally - “Rambo's” more-talented faither, scored an absolute pearler for Kilmarnock against Motherwell back in 1960 or 1961; firing past a bemused Alan Wyllie from closer to the half-way line than the 18-yard line, into the teeth of a hurricane and driving rain at Rugby Park – with an old leather ball.
2. Bobby Charlton's first goal for England, a knee-high right-footed volley past Tommy Younger from ten yards, during the 1958 Scotland v England game at Hampden. The set-up, the run and cross from Tom Finney, was special, the finish even more-so. Younger ran out to half-way to congratulate the 20-year-old Charlton on his superb strike.
3. “Sanny” Sharp's clinching goal for Lugar Boswell Thistle in the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final against Broxburn Athletic, at Firhill in 1956. That goal, a solo, offside trap-springing run from half-way, meant the “Jaggy Bunnets” were going to Hampden for the first, and so-far only time.
4. Alan Gilzean's superb header past Gordon Banks, to win the 1964 Scotland v England game at Hampden. I am sure Gillie was above Gordon Banks when he headed home.
5. The Pele goal when he went past half the Swedish defence, lifting the ball over the last defender before volleying home, in the 1958 World Cup Final. I watched that game on TV; how could a 17-year-old score such a goal?
6. Davie Cooper's very similar goal past a bedraggled Celtic defence in the Dryburgh Cup final. Here was a Scottish player scoring a “Brazilian goal”. The only thing which maybe made the Pele goal better was, he was facing higher-calibre defenders.
7. Another as seen on TV goals – Eddie Gray's solo effort for Leeds United against Burnley. Look for it on You Tube, as he beats half the opposition inside the penalty box to score.
8. Archie Gemmill's goal. What else is there to say?
9. Joe Jordan's goal against the Czechs in 1973. Not in truth all that great a goal, but, what it stood for gets in it, all those years of failure, ended by a single header.
10. Maradona's “Hand of God” goal. Of course it should never have stood, but, come on, don't you think England deserved that?

I am sure, I could come up with another fifty or so goals, if I really thought about the matter, but, those ten will do for now. Mind you, as an old 'keeper, it sort of hurts to discuss such matters, every goal conceded hurts.

BEING Scottish, we will be on the outside, looking in, for a few Champions League campaigns to come, but, this week's quarter-final have restored my faith in football. We have seen three terrific games, Bayern v Seville wasn't so hot, and some terrific goals.

That was the old Anfield of the Shankly-Paisley era last night, with the Kop roaring out “You'll Never Walk Alone” and the Reds rampant. It will take some effort for Man City to overturn Liverpool's three-goal advantage at the Ethiad, but, with that team – you can never say never.

What a pity one or two idiots decided to have a go at the City team coach and spoil a fantastic night for Liverpool.

And while little Lionel didn't come up with a single solo moment to rival his big pal from Madrid's strike of the night before, he still came up with more moments of divine inspiration as Barca slaid Roma.

 The rivalry between these two, reminds me of

Normally, in football, the scribes decide, one player is supreme in any era. We are spoilt for choice today, between the glorious little 10 at Camp Nou, and the imperious big 7 at the Bernabau. To me, they are football's version of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

To me Kelly, the CR7 figure, always seemed to be saying as he danced: “Watch me, aren't I great, see how clever I am.” Messi, like Astaire, seems to be saying: “Isn't it great to be getting paid for doing something this simple and this enjoyable.”

These two in their prime

Truth is, all four, the now-departed dancing geniuses and the still-performing footballers took great, God-given talent, and worked at it until they became the supreme artists they were and are.

And, in so doing they are following in the footsteps of many, including some special Scots such as Jinky, Slim Jim, Denis and Coop, whom I mentioned above.