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Interestingly, Ron McKinnon of Rangers kept Billy McNeill out of the side after the Celtic captain had missed earlier games through injury and then couldn't reclaim his place. Jim McCalliog of Sheffield Wednesday also made his Scotland debut that day in London and marked it with Scotland's third goal.
Before the game, all of Scotland's starting 11 bar one were fired up for this Home International encounter. The Anglos were especially keen for a victory after being taunted in dressing rooms since England had won the Jules Rimet Trophy. Famously Denis Law couldn't bear to watch the World Cup final even on TV and went out to play golf, apparently exclaiming "Bastards" on hearing Scotland's near neighbours had been crowned champions of the world.
During the game Law's desire for revenge was evident, as the Manchester United striker was at the centre of most of the incidents during the match and bundled Scotland's opener after 27 minutes from picking up a rebound from a Willie Wallace shot.
This was at odds with fellow Anglo Jim Baxter, who had moved to Sunderland from Rangers in 1965. According to legend 10 minutes before the game began 'slim' Jim was reading the form in the Racing Post. When the Scotland trainer suggested he might want to warm up before the most important game in his country's calendar, Baxter first of all stretched out his left leg and then his right. "That's me warmed up," he said, eyes still fixed on the paper.
And watching re-runs of the game suggests there could be some truth in this story, as the out-of-shape midfielder strolled through what was a frenetic game.
