How Kluivert’s sucker punch was a Dutch dagger in Scots hearts
Nine members of Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad were not even born the last time Scotland competed on international football’s biggest stage in Europe.
It is 25 years since Craig Brown’s Scots went to Euro 96 across the border as underdogs and came, somewhat typically, agonisingly close to advancing from the group stage of a major tournament for the first time.
Things were different then. Oasis had a big hit with Don’t Look Back in Anger, the Spice Girls released their first single (Wannabe) and Dolly the sheep was born. The Scottish Parliament didn’t exist.
For Scotland, Euro 96 will always be remembered for Gary Mcallister’s penalty miss and Paul Gascoigne’s flamboyant strike – after flummoxing Colin Hendry – moments later at the other end. But the most painful moment was still to come.
The first European Championship where three points were awarded for a win had started well enough, a stubborn display earning a 0-0 draw against the Dutch at Villa Park. The 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley meant Scotland had to beat Switzerland back at Villa Park and rely, somewhat uncomfortably, on their auld rivals to do them a favour.
Beating the Swiss, of course, meant scoring a goal. Having left Ally Mccoist on the bench for the first two games, Brown started the 33-year-old striker this time and was rewarded with a rocket into the top corner which broke Scotland’s duck and secured the points. England, meanwhile, were cruising at Wembley. Four up after an hour. The Tartan Army could count down the clock. As England took their foot off the gas, however, Patrick Kluivert popped up with a sucker punch. Villa Park fell silent.
His 78th-minute goal meant a 4-1 defeat, but drew the Dutch level with the Scots on points and goal difference, ahead on goals scored. The Scots were out.