On this day in 1991 Scotland beat San Marino in the Serravalle, thanks to goals from the two Gordons; Strachan & Durie. They wore this rather natty strip that night too.

Can't think of a better way to start the month.
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My new book Double Diamond (out Aug 12) tells the story of Umbro’s central role in football and sportswear over 100 years.

In 🧵 below, some of the key stories and link to a sample chapter and pre-order…

Alex McLeish in the thick of it from Wembley 1988 . . .

On this day in 1952 Scotland routed the USA 6-0 with a hattrick from Lawrie Reilly, a brace from Airdrie's Ian McMillan and an own goal in front of a Hampden crowd of 107,809.

Craig Burley won 46 caps for Scotland scoring three goals, all coming in 1998 including that equaliser v Norway. Interestingly a lot of his early caps were as right back. He won one final cap under Berti Vogts on this day in 2003 in a 2-0 defeat to Austria.

From the Goal Annual 1973 comes a trio of Scots.

Footage of Netherlands v Scotland OTD 1986. Davie Cooper is quite sublime throughout. Paul Sturrock with two penalty claims, then there's Ally McCoist on his debut. Can't help think if he had scored at least one, he perhaps would have been Mexico bound.
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Souness and Archibald congratulating Robbo after one of his two penalties v Israel from this day in 1981. Scotland won 3-1 the World Cup Qualifier at Hampden with Davie Provan providing the other goal.

This day in 1999 the match v Germany also saw the only Scotland appearance for Robbie Winters, then of Aberdeen coming on as a sub late in the game.
More surprising than this being his only game is that Robbie never gained any Under 21 caps.

On this day in 1993 Scotland hit the decade's low point with a 5-0 defeat in Lisbon to a great Portuguese side. Richard Gough, Jim McInally and Dave McPherson all played in their final game for the team. Ally McCoist's leg was broken late in the game to make matters worse.

OTD 1993: Por 5-0 Sco

Andy Roxburgh famously described this as “The Night a Team Died” on one of the darkest nights for the Mens National Team.

This is where the “We’re Going to Wembley: Scotland’s Euro 96 story” boon begins & is brilliantly captured by Neil Doherty

On this day in 1999 Big Don donned a Germany shirt. Don Hutchison

Great to be at this yesterday. Very interesting story. Another fantastic restoration led by Michael C . Houston ended his career with Partick Thistle FC so I got a pic of grave with club colours on it.
Andy Mitchell Beerhunters TA Scotland Forever! Football Magazine Ged O'Brien West of Scotland Tartan Army

OTD in 1988 Scotland faced Spain in a friendly at the Bernabeu in Madrid, a sparse crowd of 15,000 was in attendance. The game ended in a 0-0 draw which was not that unusual for an Andy Roxburgh match in those days; in his first fifteen in charge Scotland had six such results.

There's me boat. Firhill here I come.

Scotland side that faced France on this day in 1949. Billy Steel netted twice to give Scotland the victory in front of a crowd of 125,683. Willie Telfer was the 12th man on the day.

Also OTD in 1977, David Narey made history when Willie Ormond brought him on in the 76th minute for Hibernian's John Blackley in the match v Sweden. Narey would be the first ever Dundee United player to be capped by Scotland. A further 25 United players have been capped since.

On this day in 1977 Joe Craig scored with his first touch v Sweden at Hampden as Scotland ran out 3-1 winners. Along with fellow Celt Ronnie Glavin this was to be Joe's only appearance for Scotland.

Have to admire this: The Swedish league has rejected VAR and refused to use it after a fan revolt and objections from clubs. 👀
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