WHAT’S THE SCORE?

Jocky Scott

JOCKY SCOTT was part of the Aberdeen side that captured the League Cup after seeing off Celtic in extra-time in 1976. During his career Jocky also played for Dundee and Seattle Sounders. He managed the Dons and the Dark Blues (three times). Here he looks back with SEAN HAMILTON.

BEST MANAGER YOU PLAYED FOR?

I DIDN’T appreciate it at the time but John Prentice was excellent. As a young player at Dundee, the way John spoke about football went over my head. Now I’ve been a manager myself, I can understand where he was coming from.

BEST PLAYER YOU PLAYED WITH?

THE best in terms of linking up and working well together was Gordon Wallace. In terms of pure technique, it was Bobby Moore at Seattle Sounders.

BEST PLAYER YOU PLAYED AGAINST?

THE opponent who gave me the most problems was Jim Brogan of Celtic. He stuck to what he was good at, defending. On the technical side, it was Pele. I played against him three times in the US and he was different class.

TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER?

IT would be the 1970/71 season under John Prentice at Dundee. Jim McLean was our coach and he really got the best out of me. It was the year I really broke through into the first team.

BEST GOAL YOU EVER SCORED?

HONESTLY – every one of them. There are one or two I could pick out as great strikes, but for someone like me who enjoyed scoring goals, they’re all good.

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

REPRESENTING my country stands out. Unfortunately, it only happened twice. But at least I can say I achieved it.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER?

EVERY manager and coach I played under had some input but I don’t think there was anyone specific who taught me to play the way I did. That was more myself. I preferred to do things off the cuff rather than things I worked at.

MOST MEMORABLE GAME?

WINNING the League Cup with Aberdeen in 1976 is up there, but scoring three goals in the semi-final against Rangers stands out more. It was a huge game and the result gave us the chance to go on and win the trophy, which we did.

BEST STORY ABOUT A TEAM-MATE?

ALEX HAMILTON used to smuggle a complimentary ticket on to the pitch every time he played for Dundee. Whenever he’d make an opposition attacker look daft, he’d run back past the guy, hand him the ticket, and say: “There you go, son. That’ll get you back in!”

SECRET ABOUT YOU?

AWAY from the football I’m a big golfer, and I have had nine holes-in-one over the years. Fortunately, most of them came when there were only a few guys playing, so the rounds in the clubhouse haven’t cost me too much money!