World Cup 2026: Scotland’s ill-fated 1978 World Cup campaign still resonates

It was pantomime stuff and it was infectious. Roll on a bandwagon. AC/DC played a gig wearing a Scotland jersey. Blue Peter presented the somewhat bewildered squad with a lucky badge.

Scottish nationalism advanced with SNP record gains. A pro-Unionist newspaper in England wrote that Scotland winning the World Cup would be “like distilled firewater. Jumping over it, the nationalists could rampage for victory”.

In 1978, the Scots roamed the British football landscape like gods. In August 1977, Kenny Dalglish, whose famous goal helped secure a place in the final against Wales, joined Liverpool and became Britain’s most expensive footballer. Five months later, Gordon McQueen would set a new transfer record when he joined Manchester United.

Liverpool had just won the European Cup with Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness and Dalglish at the back of the team. Ipswich had just won the FA Cup with John Wark and George Burley. Nottingham Forest won the First Division title and the League Cup with Kenny Barnes, Archie Gemmill, John McGovern and John Robertson. Burns was England’s player of the year. A superb Rangers team won the domestic treble.