Scotland in 1974: A World Cup Story | BBC Archive presents...

With Scotland about to embark upon their second consecutive European Championship campaign, we take a nostalgic look back to 50 years ago, when such events seemed more commonplace.

In 1974, Scotland headed to West Germany as the only qualifier from the UK and hopes were high that they could impress at what was their first World Cup appearance for 20 years.

Placed in an intriguing group with defending champions Brazil, the impressive Yugoslavia and the unknown quantity of Zaire, the Scotland squad was brimming with top class players such as the then reigning English league champions Leeds United's Billy Bremner, Gordon McQueen, Peter Lorimer and John Jordan, as well as European Cup winners Denis Law and Jimmy Johnstone. There was also a certain chap called Kenny Dalglish (then at Celtic) wearing the number 8 jersey.

What followed was a tale of hope, excitement, frustration, infuriating mathematics and ultimately some kind of redemption as Scotland exited the tournament on goal difference - the only side at the tournament not to lose a game!

This is the story of that campaign, told by BBC News reports and documentary footage of the time.






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