Yes We Can

SUCH is Scottish popular culture that if either STV or BBC Scotland were ever to raise the comedy bar beyond "couthy" and come up with something akin to the legendary 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch (Four Fifers anyone?), there would have to be a football element.

I could see the Pars' fan putting-up Alex Edwards, Alex Ferguson, Willie Cunningham and Jackie Sinclair; back would come the East Fifer weighing-in with Allan Brown, "Legs" Fleming, George Aitken and Jimmy Bonthrone; only to be trumped by the two-word response from the Starks Parker: "Jim Baxter".

I slalom down this back road of whimsey after looking at a piece in this morning's Scotsman, in their 'From the Archives' feature. This is a great wallow in nostalgia, I just wish Donald Walker and his terrific team on the Hootsman's sports desk would up their production values and try to find archive features matching the date of use.

As an Ayrshireman I'm always happy to read about triumphs by Ayrshire sides and today's was all about that glorious day, 24 April, 1965, when Killie went to Tynecastle, won 2-0 and lifted the League Championship for the only time.

Worth celebrating certainly, but maybe not specifically in October, 2010. But, enough carping, that great win got me thinking. Back in 1965, that victorious Kilmarnock team contained just one current Scotland cap (i.e. one player who had played for Scotland that season) - centre half Jackie McGrory. Yes, injured goalkeeper Campbell Forsyth was also capped that season, while Bobby Ferguson, the young reserve whose late save from Alan Gordon secured the title would go on to be capped the following season. Right back Andy King was an Under-23 regular, Tommy McLean would go on to greatness, but for the rest, Under-23 or Scottish League recognition would be the best they could hope for; while such as Matt Watson were scandalously overlooked for any representative honours.

The Hearts team they beat also included one just one current Scotland cap, Willie Wallace, who had made his debut against Northern Ireland earlier that season; but the Hearts XI also included an already capped goalkeeper in Jim Cruickshanks, Davie Holt, capped at left back the previous season and various players such as Billy Higgins, Roy Barry and Johnny Hamilton who had played in Under-23 or League internationals.

Dunfermline finished third with a squad similarly lacking in international names: then came Hibs, whose only capped player that season, Neil Martin, didn't make his Scotland debut until the following month. Rangers, who then as now could have fielded a team of full internationalists were fifth, while Celtic, managed by Jock Stein and with all bar Wallace and Ronnie Simpson of the Lisbon Lions already in place and five current Scotland internationalists in their ranks finished that season eighth, behind Dundee and Clyde.

Back then, the provincial clubs already were at a fiscal disadvantage against the Old Firm - they were always at the mercy of English raiders, picking-off their better players, but, they competed, they gave the Big Two a run for their money and beat them more often than they do today.

I would suggest that notwithstanding their huge advantage in support, it ought to be easier to compete with the Old Firm today. Back then, Celtic and Rangers could afford to pay more than most English First Division sides; then as now, they could offer virtually-guaranteed European football - they would not have lost first team players to Second Division sides in England (Championship sides today). The playing field is flatter today, every Scottish club is vulnerable to player loss because of the riches in the south.

But, in spite of this, the Old Firm is more dominant than ever.

WHY?

Where is the determination from club directors and managers to get their players to have a real go at the big two? There are riches to be had for the first club brave enough and determined enough to say: "We can beat them".

I long to see another 1965, with the Old Firm trotting in with the other also-rans, what a boost that would be for Scottish football.

Where is Scottish football's Obama? - crying out: "Yes We Can".