Great Players 1970-1975

Archie Gemmil
International debut – 3rd February 1971 V Belgium
Number of Caps – 43
Goals – 8

Gemmils international career was always full of ups and downs. In the summer of 1972, his football team, Derby County refused to release him for Scotland’s tour of South America and he was not picked for the next three years as a result. After his international exile terminated in 1975, his never say die attitude earned him the captaincy of the Scottish team under manager Willie Ormonde, Ally Macleod and Jock Stein. In 1978, Scotland embarked on their ill fated world cup trip to Argentina. Prior to the tournament commencing, the Scots predicted that they would win the World Cup, however the team crashed out in the first round. Gemmil however, was one of very few players to return home from the tournament with his reputation enhanced, thanks to his amazing goal in their 3-2 victory over Holland.

Danny McGrain
International debut – 12th May 1973 V Wales
Number of Caps – 62

Danny McGrain could play at either right back or left back. He won the first of his 62 international appearances in May 1973 and his ability to neutralize the worlds best wingers kept him in the first team until the 1982 World Cup. He appeared in the 1974 and 1982 World cup finals for Scotland. His spell playing for Celtic lasted for 17 years between 1970 – 1987, as he appeared for the club on 436 occasions.
No player in the history of Glasgow Celtic FC has won more international caps than Danny McGrain while plying for the club.

Graeme Souness
International debut – 30th October 1974 V East Germany
Number of Caps – 54

In 1977, Liverpool invested a record £350,000 in Souness who, with three full international caps to his name, was one of the most accomplished football players in the world. Sounesses passing ability, touch, defending, aggression and leadership qualities became essential elements of Liverpool’s domination of domestic and European football. His leadership qualities persuaded Italian club, Sampdoria to pay £650,000 for his services in 1984. In 1986 he was appointed player manager of Glasgow Rangers.