Peter’s dream day at Ibrox was shattered in seconds
Many clubs have ups and downs over the course of a season, but this is the time when most of the honours are secured.
Hamilton Accies are one of the sides who will shortly be taking part in the SPFL play-offs.
They are hoping to win promotion back to the second tier of Scottish football.
A number of new players arrived at the club this season but none of them have had a meteoric rise to compare with Peter MacClare.
He went from the amateur game to playing in the top flight with Accies in less than a year.
His time in the professional game was relatively brief but extremely eventful.
There was nothing to suggest he would end up pitting his wits against the likes of Rangers and Celtic when he was playing football at weekends in 1964.
He recalled: “I played for my work team at Motherwell Bridgeworks. I never set out to become a professional.
“I was invited to train with Motherwell. I think I was recommended to the manager, Bobby Ancell, by our coach, Willie McKenzie.
“I took part in a practice match and was then asked to play in a reserve game against Rangers.
“I had grown up as a great Motherwell supporter, so I couldn’t believe it.
“I played in the game and scored. I played three or four matches for the reserves and it was reported that I’d been signed for the club.
“That wasn’t the case. There were other teams interested in me, but nothing came of it. I then went junior with Larkhall Thistle. I only played a few games, scored three hat-tricks and was signed by Hamilton Accies.
“I made my debut on New Year’s Day against Albion Rovers..”
Just five weeks after signing, Peter was lining up against Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup.
He went on: “That game was a nightmare start for us. Ralph Brand backheeled Rangers into the lead after just 20 seconds.
“We ended up losing 3-0. Willie Mathieson was making his debut for them and I was up against him on the right wing.
“A scout for Millwall and Brentford watched me, but I only found that out 30 years later.”
Despite that defeat, Accies were on their way to having a successful season and secured promotion to the First Division.
Peter admits he didn’t always see eye to eye with Accies boss Andy Paton. He said: “When we played the game that clinched promotion, there was champagne in paper cups in the dressing room afterwards.
“I knew I hadn’t had a great game. The manager handed me a cup but said I didn’t really deserve it. That didn’t feel good.
“But before training the next week, he called me into his office. I told him lots of my family had been at the game and I’d been desperate to make an impression. He should never think I wasn’t trying.
“He apologised and handed me an unopened bottle of champagne.”
Accies only managed eight points from 34 games in season 1965-66 and were relegated after one season in the top flight. They brought in a number of experienced players, but it wasn’t a formula that worked.
Peter, who will turn 80 a week tomorrow, said: “We got leathered in the First Division but it was quite an experience to be going to places like Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen.
“The club were never prepared to spend too much.
“I remember when we reached the quarterfinal of the Scottish Cup against Clyde and the players asked for extra money.
“It was refused right up to half an hour before kick-off, with the team still saying they wouldn’t go out. Only then was a little extra forthcoming.”
Peter’s career was then hampered by a knee injury sustained in a cup tie against Inverness Caledonian.
He struggled on until the summer of 1968, playing with the help of the dreaded cortisone injections, and then joined Lanark United.