Surpass class of ‘76 lads
Jim McCal liog helped Southampton create one of English football’s biggest shocks when they KO’d Manchester United in 1976.
But the former Saints hero reckons it will be a bigger sensation if they beat Jose Mourinho’s men in the League Cup Final today.
That FA Cup Final win 41 years ago is the only trophy Saints have lifted with exScotland star McCalliog setting up Bobby Stokes’ 83rd-minute winner for the second division side.
However, McCal l iog believes modern-day Saints will struggle without star man Virgil van Dijk – their £13million buy from Celtic.
The Dutch defender’s season is over through injury and McCalliog said: “Van Dijk strolled though games up here and he’s done the same in England. He will be a big miss at Wembley.
“In 1976 we were a second division team but had top stars such as Mike Channon and Peter Osgood, whereas United had a young team.
“Jose Mourinho has worldclass players but the biggest favourites can be beaten.”
McCalliog insists he had an extra incentive to beat United after boss Tommy Docherty off loaded him from Old Trafford.
He said: “I wanted the win badly. Af ter the game, though, I walked over and shook hands with The Doc.”
McCalliog, 70, who now runs a B&B in Fenwick with wife Debbie, can still see Stokes’ winner as clear as he did in 1976. And he hopes Saints can have their own modern-day hero today.
He said: “I lifted the ball over Brian Greenhoff’s head and Bobby did the rest. The feeling at the end was incredible. I hope the Saints players get to feel that today.”