Budapest brings back memories of Fergie’s guile
The significance of Scotland’s victory in Hungary can be measured by the fact this was the first win in four internationals played in Budapest. To add to just four at club level in 19 ties.
Although it’s a long time since the Mighty Magyars reached two World Cup Finals during the Ferenc Puskas era, Scotland’s record against a nation that has gone downhill rapidly remained abysmal until Tuesday’s win.
When I was growing up a 3-1 defeat in 1955, and a 3-3 draw in Budapest in 1960 were greeted almost as victories. Especially as Hungary had defeated England 7-1 and 6-3 around the same time.
Early in the years of European club football Celtic went to the Hungarian capital defending a 3-0 lead from the first leg of the Cup-winners’ Cup semi-final in 1964 only to lose 4-0.
Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Hearts, Hibs, Partick Thistle and St Johnstone have also been to Hungary on cup duty with only the Dons, Celtic (twice) and Hibs winning. When Hungary crops up I always remember an incredible series of events when Aberdeen were defending the Cup-winners’ Cup they’d won the previous season against Real Madrid.
The Dons had reached the quarterfinals and were drawn away first to Ujpest Dozsa. Most Eastern European governments were trying to save energy in 1984 with floodlights banned. So this game was played with an early afternoon start, the significance of which later.
Aberdeen played Ujpest off the park yet contrived to lose 2-0. They missed chance after chance, most of them falling to Mark Mcghee.
When I caught up with manager Alex Ferguson later that evening, he’d had too long to contemplate and was in one of his “Furious Fergie” moods.
He told me: “That’s Mcghee finished. I’m going home to sign Charlie Nicholas from Arsenal.
“Put that in your paper on Sunday.”
When we landed back at Aberdeen, the following day, Fergie said he’d rather I didn’t use it.
But, unwilling to give up a good story, I said my sports editor already knew.
Quick as a flash, Fergie changed tact saying that might be the rocket striker Mcghee needed for the return leg.
Sure enough Mcghee scored a hat-trick, and the Dons progressed to the semis where they lost to eventual winners Porto.
The Dons did sign Nicholas, but not for another four years, by which time Fergie was at Manchester United and Ian Porterfield was manager.