Gilmour’s a top star Tou
moves! Brazil scoring an early goal wasn’t in our script but I put that down to the problems with the warm-up.
“That was disappointing and it made the mountain even bigger. We had nothing to lose though. We knuckled down and ran them close.”
There was bitter disappointment at the end but we’ll always have that halftime. The Tartan Army were plastered in Paris but they’ll still remember the party during the interval when we were holding Ronaldo and co.
The seven minutes before weren’t too bad either. Brazil had the samba but we had the swagger. At least Collins did.
Gallacher said: “Gary McAllister took the penalties then it was JC but he’d missed a couple of games. I’d volunteered as well.
“When the ref gave the penalty I looked around and saw wee John peacocking with the ball under his arms.
“He looked confident so that was good enough for me! He put it away and it got us back in the game.
“We had real belief at that point. We felt we could try to go on and get a winner. The fans would have enjoyed half-time but we didn’t know that until we got home and watched the video.
“We were in at half-time doing tactics. We were saying, ‘We can get them here – they’re not as world class as they’re made out to be’.
“Okay it turned out they were but that was the way we looked at it. It wasn’t to be but it was great to be part of such a huge occasion. I remember watching World Cups with my family and saying one day I wanted to be there. It was incredible to do it.”
Gallacher and his old team-mates relished the trip down memory lane at last night’s La Reunion dinner in Glasgow. But like every Tartan Army foot soldier, he hopes we don’t leave it so long until next time.
He added: “I’ve played in one and worked at others for the media but I’d love to go to one as a Scotland fan.”
GOALS’ Football Revolution campaign aims to get more people active through playing five-a-sides during the World Cup and beyond. See www. goalsfootball.co.uk BILLY GILMOUR is following in the steps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane after being named Breakthrough Player of the Tournament.
The Chelsea midfielder, 17 today, became Scotland U-21s’ youngest scorer against South Korea in Toulon last week – and youngest to captain them.
He said: “It’s a tremendous honour. I really want to keep progressing and make my mark for Chelsea and Scotland.”
Celtic winger Mikey Johnston was named Third Best Player and Scotland, who finished fourth, won the Fair Play award.