Willie Chalmers wants to know the reason why Scotland changed their line-up quite drastically after an amazing victory.
The “amazing victory” he refers to is an incredible and unexpected 6-2 success over Spain in June 1963.
“My query is really trying to find out the reason that only a couple of players who played in that amazing victory were then left in for the next international,” said Willie.
“Can you print the line-ups of the team that played Spain and the XI who represented Scotland in their next international?”
I remember this game vividly and it is often been referred to as a “makeshift” Scotland side which played in Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium on that June 13, 1963, evening. However, I would dispute this as Scotland played three away friendlies that month as part of a mini-European tour. I reckon boss Ian McColl was just giving everyone who travelled some game time.
Their first game was a 4-3 defeat to hosts Norway.
Scotland lined up — Adam Blacklaw (Burnley); Alex Hamilton (Dundee), Davie Holt (Hearts); Dave Mackay (Hearts) (capt), Ian Ure (Dundee), Jim Baxter (Rangers); Willie Henderson (Rangers), Davie Gibson (Leicester), Ian St John (Liverpool), Denis Law (Manchester United), Davie Wilson (Rangers). Frank McLintock (Leicester) replaced Mackay after 78 minutes.
Denis Law hit a hat-trick for Scotland.
Five days later, they unexpectedly went down 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland at Dalymount Park, Dublin.
Scotland made several changes and those who pulled on the jersey were — Tommy Lawrence (Liverpool); Alex Hamilton (Dundee), Davie Holt (Hearts); Frank McLintock (Leicester), Billy McNeill (Celtic), Jim Baxter (Rangers); Willie Henderson (Rangers), Davie Gibson (Leicester), Jimmy Millar (Rangers), Denis Law (Manchester United) (capt), Davie Wilson (Rangers). Ian St John (Liverpool) replaced Millar after 44 minutes.
For the Bernabeu international, manager McColl selected — Adam Blacklaw (Burnley); Billy McNeill (Celtic), Davie Holt (Hearts); Frank McLintock (Leicester), Ian Ure (Dundee), Jim Baxter (Rangers); Willie Henderson (Rangers), Davie Gibson (Leicester), Ian St John (Liverpool), Denis Law (Manchester United) (capt), Davie Wilson (Rangers).
Six different players scored for Scotland against Spain — Law, Gibson, McLintock, Wilson, Henderson and St John.
Scotland’s next international was not until four months later on October 12, going down 2-1 to Northern Ireland in the Home International Championship at Windsor Park, Belfast.
Taking on the Irish — Bill Brown (Spurs); Alex Hamilton (Dundee), Davie Provan (Rangers); Pat Crerand (Celtic), Ian Ure (Dundee), Dave Mackay (Spurs) (capt); Willie Henderson (Rangers), John White (Spurs), Ian St John (Liverpool), Davie Gibson (Leicester), George Mulhall (Sunderland).
St John hit Scotland’s counter.
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