Football: FIVE OF THE BEST SCOTLAND WINS

Sunday Mirror, Sep 16, 2007

England 1 Scotland 2 (Baxter 2, 1 pen).

April 6, 1963. (Wembley).

Attendance 99,606.

SCOTLAND: Brown; Hamilton, Caldow; Mackay, Ure, Baxter; Henderson, White, St John, Law, Wilson.

A magnificent performance by ten-man Scotland after Eric Caldow broke his leg in three places after only six minutes.

The match showcased the arrogant style of Jim Baxter in a Scotland strip, something England were to discover again four years later.

England 2 Scotland 3 (Law, Lennox, McCalliog)

April 15, 1967. (Wembley). Attendance 99,063.

SCOTLAND: Simpson; Gemmell, McCreadie; Greig, McKinnon, Bremner; McCalliog, Law, Wallace, Baxter, Lennox.

England's first defeat at Wembley since the World Cup Final victory over Germany the previous year, remembered best for the baiting of Alan Ball by Dennis Law, Jim Baxter and Billy Bremner. England had Jack Charlton a virtual passenger through injury in the second half and may well have lost by a much greater margin.

Holland 2 Scotland 3 (Dalglish, Gemmill 2, 1 pen.)

June 11, 1978. (Mendoza).

Attendance 50,000.

SCOTLAND: Rough; Donnachie, Buchan; Kennedy, Forsyth, Rioch; Hartford, Gemmill, Souness, Dalglish, Jordan.

Archie Gemmill's goal is regarded as the best ever Scotland strike but the famous victory was not enough to overcome a defeat by Peru and a draw with Iran. It was an amazing performance on the day against a Dutch side beaten in the final by Argentina, who most observers believe were the best team in the competition.

Scotland 1 (G Caldwell) France 0

October 7, 2006. (Hampden).

Attendance 50,456.

SCOTLAND: Gordon; Dailly, Pressley, Weir, Alexander; Fletcher, Ferguson, Caldwell, Hartley; McCulloch (Teale), McFadden (O'Connor.)

Walter Smith's pre-match prediction that France would dominate the first half and the Scots would get their chance to play after the interval was spot on. Gary Caldwell's 67th-minute goal came in a period of controlled aggression from the home team and, although there was a late French flurry, Scotland survived the onslaught with some comfort.

France 0 Scotland 1 (McFadden.)

September 12, 2007. (Parc des Princes).

Attendance 78,000.

SCOTLAND: Gordon; Hutton, Weir, McManus, Alexander; Brown, Ferguson, Fletcher (Pearson), Hartley, McCulloch; McFadden (O'Connor.)

A tactical master class from Alex McLeish who muddled the whole midfield area with five energetic players, refusing to allow the French to settle into a rhythm. James McFadden's goal with 26 minutes left was as spectacular as it was vital, leaving a whole nation to suffer a nail biting, clockwatching eternity.