1978 FIFA World Cup Group 4

Group 4 of the 1978 FIFA World Cup began on 3 June and ended on 11 June 1978. The group consisted of Iran, Netherlands, Peru, and Scotland.

The Scotland team had qualified for the World Cup Finals for the second time in succession; once again the sole representatives from the United Kingdom. Scotland had done well to qualify from a group containing the UEFA Euro 1976 winners Czechoslovakia and Wales. The Scotland manager Ally MacLeod, whose managerial career had not been outstanding, had outlandishly but successfully talked up the team’s chances, capturing an outgrowth of public confidence which welcomed success after years of under-achievement, to the extent that tens of thousands of the famous Tartan Army had seen the team off in a farewell parade at Hampden Park.

That Scotland had strength in talent was indisputable. They had been fairly successful on a South American tour in 1977 (drawing with the Argentinians at La Bombonera), and their squad contained exceptional players. Midfielder Kenny Burns had been named the English League’s Player of the Year, John Robertson, a fellow club-mate at Nottingham Forest was a highly regarded winger. Liverpool, European Champions for the second year running, provided both Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish. In midfield McLeod had a fair pick of Asa Hartford, Don Masson. Bruce Rioch, Archie Gemmill. Derek Johnstone had scored 40 goals at Glasgow Rangers that season. From Manchester United, McLeod selected Joe Jordan and, club captain, Martin Buchan. But McLeod had disadvantaged himself failing to select Andy Gray (Aston Villa’s 29-goal forward) yet permitting Gordon McQueen to join the squad, despite being injured.

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