Free Keep Fighting by Paul Harrison Page A

The team was full of world-class players who could cut it at any club in the world. From goalkeeper through to substitutes, we were a match for anyone on our day. For me, it was the ultimate accolade, I cried with joy and pride. Me, Billy Bremner from Raploch, representing my country at football, fantastic. It was a good way for me to end the football season. I was roomed with wee Willie Henderson, what a footballer and man he was, so much skill, and quicker and stronger than a steam train, too.
    ‘Willie was a really nice guy who everyone liked. He was a master piss taker too; nobody was safe from his practical jokes or impressions. It was lovely having such a great guy alongside me. The team that day is one which will stick in my mind for eternity: Bill Brown, Alex Hamilton, Eddie McCreadie, Billy Bremner, Billy McNeill (captain), John Greig, Willie Henderson, Bobby Collins, Denis Law, Alan Gilzean, John Hughes. What a greatline-up that was. We had an abundance of football talent and most of us were good pals as well.
    ‘Even though the game ended 0-0, it is a memorable game in the history of Scottish football, if not world football, sadly not for any football reason but through its classic comedy value. Up front, Denis Law had been putting himself about a bit, typically challenging for every ball and generally hassling the Spain defence. One of the Spanish defenders thought that Denis had gone into a challenge too hard, so he punched him in the head. The referee saw everything and ran up to the Spaniard and sent him off. On receiving his marching orders, the Spanish player flung himself to the ground and lay there feigning injury. The referee didn't know what to do next, so allowed the Spanish physio to come onto the pitch to give him treatment. For a few minutes it was bedlam, Spanish players were arguing with the referee and a linesman, neither of whom could understand a word of what was being said to them.
    ‘All the time this was going on, the Spanish player who had lumped Denis Law was receiving treatment for an injury that didn't exist! Eventually, everyone calmed down and the game restarted, and both teams still had eleven players on the pitch. The referee either forgot or ignored the fact that he had sent a Spanish player off, and he remained on the pitch for the rest of the game. What a palaver to be involved in on your full international debut. It did give me an insight into the mentality of European footballers and what some of them were capable of. We were all able to have a good laugh about it afterwards. What else could we do?
    ‘As for the referee, well, despite his major cock-up, nothing truly happened to him. I should say that in my opinion, and in the majority of instances, the standard of refereeing didn't really improve throughout my career.
    ‘I loved playing for and representing Scotland, it was totally different from club football; players who were your enemies in the football league were able to put that animosity behind them, and become their true selves, genuine Scotsmen. Throughout myinternational soccer career, I played alongside and against the world's greatest footballers and met some really high-powered dignitaries.
    ‘I remember the game against Spain for another reason. I was standing near to Willie Henderson as we were introduced to some royal official with an unpronounceable name from Spain. Willie had secretly imbibed a drop of alcohol before the game, not a lot, just enough to take away the nerves. Anyway, there we were standing almost to attention when the dignitary comes along and shakes our hand. He said something to me, I didn't know what it was, so to save embarrassment, I smiled and nodded. As he reached forward to take Willie Henderson's hand, I heard the noise that makes everyone giggle, an emission of wind from the backside, it came from behind us. It was Willie! Embarrassed, he immediately said, “Ooh shit, sorry.” The official smiled and swiftly moved on.
    ‘Great