If only I had been as relaxed at the World Cup as the time I sang on Top Of The Pops!
Millions of people are having to miss out on special moments during the coronavirus crisis.
Saving lives remains the top priority, but it’s understandable that having special occasions being cancelled is causing a bit of anguish.
I know from experience that some chances to take part in a memorable moment only come along once.
Football fans were hoping to be watching Euro 2020 this summer.
We should see club football in some form this year, but it seems increasing unlikely that any international games will take place.
At this time in 1982, my nerves were already jangling at the thought of playing for Scotland at the World Cup Finals.
I was desperate to make the 22-man squad that was heading for Spain.
Before that, I had another big date with my country.
The Scotland players were performing our World Cup song on Top Of The Pops on May 6.
Some people will probably tell you that my performance singing We Have A Dream was probably better than the one I produced against New Zealand in the opening game of the World Cup!
I might even say that myself. It was all down to nerves. I was only 22, and the youngest player in the squad.
I’d had a great season with Ipswich Town and scored 28 goals, and I got nine of my 13 Scotland caps during 1982. I really was on fire.
The appearance on Top Of The Pops was certainly memorable.
Also on the show were the England lads and the Spurs
FA Cup Final squad.
Others I remember were Patrice Rushen singing Forget Me Nots and PhD doing I Won’t Let You Down.
We got there really early and they made us do a few rehearsals.
It was a massive mistake by the producers to have us there so early because the bar opened very early.
What else were we supposed to do? We enjoyed a few lagers.
The other performers were all a bit anxious about appearing on such a big show, but we weren’t. We were very relaxed! It went well – at least I think it did.
I’d thought that I had a good chance of making the final cut in Spain .
But if you’d asked me if I’d start the first game against New Zealand on June 15
– my birthday – alongside Kenny Dalglish, I’d have said: “No chance’’.
I couldn’t wait for that first game but I was very nervous. And when I was nervous, I didn’t play my natural game.
I absolutely loved playing for Scotland. I just wish I could have done better and scored. We won 5-2, but I knew I hadn’t done myself justice.
I got another chance when I came on as a substitute against USSR in the third and final game.
The nerves had settled by then.
But there was the collision between Alan Hansen and Willie Miller, we drew 2-2 and went out.
I was hoping to come back from the World Cup and score more than 30 goals the next season.
It didn’t work out like that. I seemed to have lost a half-yard of pace and didn’t feel as strong.
I was in the early stages of injury problems that would eventually curtail my career.
I was gutted that I didn’t get the chance to repeat the World Cup experience in 1986.
So I really hope that delaying the Euros by a year doesn’t deny someone who’s been in top form the chance to play at a major tournament.
Mind you, a few modernday players seem to regard international football as a bit of an inconvenience.
That astounds me.