Those days will never be bettered
SAYS JOHN COLLINS
Two seconds – plus a tap on the screen of Darren Jackson’s mobile phone – is all it takes to turn John Collins into a time traveller.
The two men are together to promote La Reunion, a special event in June to celebrate the day Scotland raised the curtain on World Cup 98 with a match against Brazil.
Jackson has a photograph Collins hasn’t seen – one of the team, immaculate in their kilts and full Highland finery, striding across the Stade de France’s playing surface – and has passed it across to his mate to check out.
“Fantastic! Send me that, will you,” asks the man who, just a couple of hours after his stroll in the Parisian sunshine, was sprinting across the same grass to celebrate having scored against the reigning world champions.
“That photo has made my day, because one of the biggest memories I have is of everybody getting into their kilts to head into the stadium.
“We had kept it quiet – something you couldn’t do nowadays with all the social media accounts – and I think that was a great idea because it was a surprise for everyone.
“It went down so well. I remember the Brazilians looking at us and smiling.
“The supporters were everywhere, and what was beautiful about it was all the fans were mixed in together.
“So you had the bright yellow of Brazil and the tartan and the kilts, then the music from the pipers and samba drummers.
“We all said, ‘ Wow, look at this’. As delighted as we were to be on the pitch, you would not have minded being in among the crowd.
“It was just a fabulous occasion, and one that will live with everyone involved for the rest of our lives.
“We haven’t been all together since then, so it will be great to catch up. The memories will flood back, and the stories will come out.”
La Reunion will involve a golf day on June 9, followed by a dinner 24 hours later, exactly 20 years since the match with Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos & Co.
“We were all young men then. Now we are getting old and grey,” laughs Collins.
“Frightening, but those days will never be bettered. They are the best days of your life.”
The records show Brazil won the game 2- 1, and that thereafter the teams went their separate ways – the men from the Copacabana beach all the way to the Final, where they lost to France, and Scotland, courtesy of a sobering defeat from Morocco, to an early flight home.
What they don’t reveal is the great drama along the way, including the moment when Collins had the legendary keeper Claudio Taffarel bending to pick the ball out of his own net.
“Playing Brazil, it was our World Cup Final,” admits the former Celtic, Hibs and Monaco midfielder.
“The ticket demand was incredible. Everywhere you went, people were asking you for them.
“And no wonder. It was Paris, in summer, at a brand- new stadium against the perfect opposition.
“They were full of world stars. They had Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and, of course, the biggest one of all up top in the shape of Ronaldo ( at the time the world’s mostexpensive player).
“But we went into it in good shape, off the back of a strong qualifying campaign. Craig Brown had us well organised and tough to beat, plus, of course, we were desperate to put on a good show to make the country proud of us.
“We showed our spirit when losing a goal in the first few minutes.
“We could have crumbled, but we didn’t.
“Instead, we stuck to our task and gradually worked our way into the game. And then we got the penalty.
“Kevin Gallacher was sharp, lively in and around the box, and he got
clipped. It was probably a bit of a soft award, but it was a penalty. “So then it was on to me. “I think if you ask anyone who takes penalties, they will tell you that you think about them ahead of time and you have usually got your corner picked before you take them.
“I had visualised where I was going to put it, did exactly that and, fantastic, it goes in and I am off and running for the corner to celebrate with the Tartan Army.
“This was just before half-time, so we get back into the dressingroom at 1-1, and with all to play for.
“Unfortunately, the only other goal that day went to them and it was a cruel one ( Jim Leighton’s save rebounding off Tom Boyd for a freakish own-goal).
“Things weren’t all bad, though, because I did manage to pick up Ronaldo’s jersey as a souvenir!
“I used to keep it out for visitors to try on. But now they have all had a go, I have it all framed up.”
To keep, like the memories of the day, protected forever.
The La Reunion weekend kicks off on Saturday, June 9, with a golf day in the company of the France 98 squad at Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club.
The players will attend a Gala Dinner the following evening at the Hilton Glasgow.
Tickets for both events are available now.
See www.thelongestforty.com or email john@thelongestforty.com for details.