Davie Cooper

[wanderer]

I may have read this wrong but wasn't he touted by a couple of newspapers in 1978 as potential wildcard for the World Cup that year ?

He went on the South America tour the year before, but never played (was he one of the players who refused to take part in the Chile game maybe? Thus cost him his place in the 78 squad).

In "How a nation lost the World Cup" they do name a stand by list of 5 or 6 players (guys like Willie Miller and Andy Gray etc....can not recall Coopers name being mentioned in the book) but Ally was stuck by the old guard who had done him well in 77, and added a couple of his "favorites" to the squad (ie Joe Harper).

He would make his debut a year later in 1979, but his Scotland career stalled after this due to not getting on with John Greg at club level, and Rangers being in free fall during this period (no Rangers players made the cut for the 82 World Cup), and its amazing that it took him almost 5 years to get his next cap!

Seem to recall stories that the closest he came to moving away from Rangers was a offer accepted by Aston Villa in 1982, but the usual he didn't want to move more than 10 miles from Glasgow scrapped the move.

Edited December 11, 2014 by wanderer

[JECK]

I'm intrigued by the mo Johnstone signing comment a few posts up, anyone willing to dip their toes on that one?

[wanderer]

I'm intrigued by the mo Johnstone signing comment a few posts up, anyone willing to dip their toes on that one?

Think it's a urban myth (with maybe a slight element of truth behind it).

Cooper had nothing against Celtic players, he just did not accept Rangers signing Johnston after the events in the 86 League Cup final couple of years earlier.

[Flora MaDonald]

I'm afraid all the evidence I've heard, points to him being a supreme Lester Pigot.

[mcnpauls]

He was brilliant in the famous win against Spain, and so was pretty much everyone else that night. Sadly, that line-up never played together again. Souness waned over the next couple of years, McStay became inconsistent for Scotland, Bett dropped off the radar for the national team and neither Stein nor Ferguson came up with a stable formation midfield or up front.

Cooper was there at the other vital moments of that 86 WC qualifying campaign: penalty against Wales most famously, but also the free kick that broke the stalemate in a very tense play-off against Australia at Hampden.

Fergie blew it in Mexico by not giving him a proper chance to make a difference in the three matches.

Having said all of that, Cooper could also be totally anonymous in other Scotland matches.

Still, on form, he was a joy to watch, and had an amazing end to his career, too.

[Auchinyell Sox Change]

He was brilliant in the famous win against Spain, and so was pretty much everyone else that night. Sadly, that line-up never played together again. Souness waned over the next couple of years, McStay became inconsistent for Scotland, Bett dropped off the radar for the national team and neither Stein nor Ferguson came up with a stable formation midfield or up front.

Cooper was there at the other vital moments of that 86 WC qualifying campaign: penalty against Wales most famously, but also the free kick that broke the stalemate in a very tense play-off against Australia at Hampden.

Fergie blew it in Mexico by not giving him a proper chance to make a difference in the three matches.

Having said all of that, Cooper could also be totally anonymous in other Scotland matches.

Still, on form, he was a joy to watch, and had an amazing end to his career, too.

utter cack

[Squirrelhumper]

I'm afraid all the evidence I've heard, points to him being a supreme Lester Pigot.

Heard same stuff too.

Chief instigator allegedly is still employed at Ibrox (kit man)

[mcnpauls]

utter cack

What? All of it?

[er yir macaroon]

Heard same stuff too.

Chief instigator allegedly is still employed at Ibrox (kit man)

He was happy to make a TV series with Charlie Nicholas.

[Flora MaDonald]

He was happy to make a TV series with Charlie Nicholas.

Dr. Paisley got on with Martin McGuiness

[daviebee]

I'm intrigued by the mo Johnstone signing comment a few posts up, anyone willing to dip their toes on that one?

I reckon it's nonsense. I remember seeing the 2 of them on the same fitba programme one time as pundits and either they were a couple of guys who enjoyed each other's company or they were potential Oscar winners. Folk have mentioned the Spain game. One of the first players over to Mo Johnston after the first goal? None other than Davie Cooper.

As for that League Cup final, Danny McGrain probably gave Johnston a bigger trashing in his book than anything that supposedly came from Cooper.

Going back to the thread topic, DC was a phenomenal talent but probably suffered from a lack of ambition. A player like him in the modern era would walk into any top side in Europe. One of the best stories I heard about him was when he was a sub and warming up at half-time taking pot shots at goal. He managed to hit the bar instead of sticking the ball into the empty net and got some stick from the punters behind the goal. His response was to play the ball repeatedly back off the bar to himself. Up there with Eddie Gray IMO.

[JECK]

Another daft question alert but what happened in 86 league cup final involving Johnstone?

[daviebee]

He got sent off in the last 5 minutes and crossed himself as he left the pitch. He refused to shake hands with Cooper afterwards (but later apologised).

McGrain gave him stick in his book cos the game took place on a Sunday and all the Catholic Celtic players had gone to mass in the morning. Except one...

Hope this post doesn't stir up any nonsense, not the intention at all.

[JECK]

No not at all and nor should it. Think most tambers likely don't give a sh;t thankfully. Just interesting to no what went on.

[Orraloon]

Very similar to Sean Maloney.

Short, skillful and overall... disappointing in a Scotland jersey.

If there is a prize for the most ridiculous statement on the Davie Cooper thread then I think we have a winner. Despite some fine attempts by other folk, I can't see this one being beaten.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Orraloon

[JECK]

What was it 20 caps and 5 goals? No bad for a wide player. Lot fkin better than 4 in 35 odd

[Auchinyell Sox Change]

What? All of it?

sorry, just skimmed thru it at work earlier

australia were a comedy outfit back then ; no danger of us not qualifying from that - take a look at the line up - only the average dave mitchell on the known list - they were a force to be reckoned with only many years later

the penalty v wales - collins showed the same bottle v brazil ; masson against wales at anfield ; southall very nearly kept it out ; so not the greatest of pens -on another day, wales were going to mexico

pure speculation on what he could have done in mexico - most of the team floundered offensively - heat/altitude , not a great side...

folk tend to forget how rank we were away to a v dodgy iceland (penalty save by leighton , and fortunate late goal by beth - also the away to spain going thru the motions exercise ; barely getting past the half way line - home to wales etc)

denmark were flying at the time , ditto w germany ; and we could likely still be playing uruguay and not have scored.....

was lucky enough to be at hampden for my 1st game v Spain 3-1 ; i honestly don't remember cooper standing out ; daglish yes for obvious reasons

[Auchinyell Sox Change]

What was it 20 caps and 5 goals? No bad for a wide player. Lot fkin better than 4 in 35 odd

didn't take the penalties and free kicks out wide.....

havent checked the records - but previous poster mentions pen v wales, and free kick v australia

very good player ; but if clydebank straight to motherwell , or hearts etc , would be a different review

[Robroysboy]

Apologies if you already know this.

There is a cracking statue of davie cooper in a scotland shirt at the palace grounds in his hometown in hamilton.

I have also heard rumours that he was a bigot, but have.also heard that frank mcgarvey had aids and richard gough was a child m@lester.

Playing with the old firm carries alot of baggage, as davie has passed on i am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

RIP Davie you were one of the greats in my eyes.

[mcnpauls]

sorry, just skimmed thru it at work earlier

australia were a comedy outfit back then ; no danger of us not qualifying from that - take a look at the line up - only the average dave mitchell on the known list - they were a force to be reckoned with only many years later

the penalty v wales - collins showed the same bottle v brazil ; masson against wales at anfield ; southall very nearly kept it out ; so not the greatest of pens -on another day, wales were going to mexico

pure speculation on what he could have done in mexico - most of the team floundered offensively - heat/altitude , not a great side...

folk tend to forget how rank we were away to a v dodgy iceland (penalty save by leighton , and fortunate late goal by beth - also the away to spain going thru the motions exercise ; barely getting past the half way line - home to wales etc)

denmark were flying at the time , ditto w germany ; and we could likely still be playing uruguay and not have scored.....

was lucky enough to be at hampden for my 1st game v Spain 3-1 ; i honestly don't remember cooper standing out ; daglish yes for obvious reasons

I don't dispute the poor level of Australia then, but that was a helluva tense match for us until Cooper scored. You'll also remember they gave us a hard time in the second leg Down Under.

But you can't deny he scored with the penalty when we needed it. And let's not forget Masson and McAllister missing penalties in vital games when they were vice-captain and captain of the team respectively.

Cooper's lazier style might well have worked better in Mexico, and he did have the skill to at least take the game to the opposition, unlike Archibald, Sharp, Nicol, etc.

[Billy 2 Boots]

In my opinion what Maloney and Cooper had in common was their inconsistency and their flashes of genius. However, Maloney has belatedly come of age and in years to come fans will recall one of the best conceived and executed goals ever scored in a Scotland shirt.

[Marky]

There is no doubting that he was a very good player, but if alledged on field comments he made to Tony Fitzpatrick are to be believed then he was an absolute khunt of a man.

[Toepoke]

He went on the South America tour the year before, but never played.

Didn't realise that. He must've still been a Clydebank player at the time?

DC was a phenomenal talent but probably suffered from a lack of ambition.

Possibly an example of that, I don't think he ever learned to drive. My mate from Motherwell used to see him being driven round by his missus in an old Ford Escort (changed days for you top footballers now)...

[wanderer]

Didn't realise that. He must've still been a Clydebank player at the time?

..

TartanDocs probably have mentioned it elsewhere..... Called up to squad as a Clydebank player in the 1st division, but signed for Rangers day before team flew out to South America and listed as a Rangers player.

[Doric]

Sure he was in the 77 Home International squad as a Clydebank player but never played. I remember being amazed a Clydebank player in the squad as they were new team them and 1st season in Premier League 77/78.