The latest Reds to Don the dark blue of Scotland
WHILE much has been made of the Celtic connection in the Scotland team which overcame Albania away and Israel at home on Saturday and Tuesday respectively, another Scottish club made a significant impact on Alex McLeish’s squad.
Scott McKenna started at the heart of defence in both games and looked just as solid as he has for Aberdeen. Team-mates Graeme Shinnie and Gary Mackay-Steven were both on the bench, while Celtic’s Ryan Christie, outstanding in both games, has benefitted greatly from his two loan spells in the north east. Ryan Fraser, who has starred for Bournemouth in the English Premier League this season, was a stand-out in both games – the 24-year-old winger started his career with the Dons.
Celtic, meanwhile, have been formidable foes for the Pittodrie outfit at Hampden since Brendan Rodgers took over at Parkhead two years ago. In the Northern Irishman’s first Treblewinning season, his side triumphed over the Dons in both domestic finals en route to an Invincible clean-sweep.
Aberdeen are back in the hunt for silverware this term. With the GET the lowdown on Scottish football’s fascinating history with a visit to the National Stadium. There’s fun among all the exhibits for every family member. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Adults £6, U16/concs £3, U5 free. Tel: 0141 616 6139 or visit www. scottishfootball museum.org.uk Betfred Cup Final just around the corner, they face Rodgers’ all-conquering side.
This has got Fraser (Newton Mearns) thinking of the 1976 League Cup final when Aberdeen beat Celtic 2-1. But in a week where the Dons contingent showed up so well for Scotland, he wants to know how many caps the ’76 goalscoring heroes Drew Jarvie and Davie Robb get for their country?
A: Jarvie played three times for Scotland during his time with Airdrie and despite being a regular in the Aberdeen side throughout the ’70s he wouldn’t add to that total. Robb made five appearances for the national side.
Quinny, meanwhile, asks: Could you tell me about a Motherwell v Rangers Scottish Cup semi-final in the 1970s? Rangers won 3-2 after Well had led 2-0. My dad, Fir Park fan, says the winning goal came from a dodgy penalty. I’m a Rangers fan by the way! Could you confirm this?
A: This match took place on Wednesdy March 31, 1976, at Hampden. McLaren and Pettigrew had put Motherwell 2-0 up at half time. It was actually Rangers’ first goal that was a penalty. It would be wrong of us to comment if it was a dodgy award or not. Goalkeeper Rennie was adjudged to have brought down Johnstone, and Miller scored from the penalty spot. Two goals from Johnstone ensured a 3-2 win for Rangers.