Davie Cooper.com - Biography

Scotland 1977-1990

“I was honoured when I was chosen but if it was a case of club against country then I believe I was duty-bound to go for the people who pay my wages week in, week out.”

Davie Cooper

Cooper never hid his controversial views on playing for Scotland, and the winger’s honesty ruffled a few feathers in the SFA over the years. However, when he did play for the national side he gave it his all – his crucial penalty, against Wales, ensuring a qualification play-off for the 1986 World Cup Finals being a prime example. So it is somewhat of a scandal that one of the most talented players that Scotland ever produced only won 22 caps.

The Alex Ferguson Years 1986

Following Jock Steins death Alex Ferguson was appointed Scotland manager for the 1986 Mexico World Cup Finals. Despite playing well and featuring heavily in the side that qualified for the tournament, Cooper was used sparingly in Scotland’s 3 group matches. In the opening loss against Denmark he didn’t even make the bench. He did however come on as a substitute in the following 2-1 defeat against West Germany. Scotland needed a win against Uruguay, in their final group match, to qualify for the knockout stages. In a match infamous for the horrendous tackling and unsporting behavior of the Uruguayans, the game petered out in a disappointing 0-0 draw. By the time Cooper came on the game was up:

“I’m the first to admit we didn’t play well...but how can you when you’re chopped at every turn? The Uruguayans weren’t going to concede anything that day come hell or high water.”

Afterwards, Ernie Walker of the SFA would label the Uruguayan team “scum”.

Surely the finals were the perfect stage for Cooper to strut his magic; where the heat and slow pace of international football suited his style of play. The decision by Alex Ferguson’s to leave him out of the side still perplexes and frustrates many Scotland fans to this day. One of the most talented and skilful players Scotland ever produced was left warming the bench. It remains one of the great “What ifs” in the history of our national side.

The Andy Roxburgh Years 1986-1990

Following the disappointment of the 1986 World Cup, Davie picked up the pieces of his international career and was called up for matches against Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. In 1989 he left Rangers for Motherwell, and many thought the move signaled the end of his international career. However, his scintillating form at Fir Park, earned him a well deserved call up to play against Norway in a European qualifier in 1989. Scotland drew the match 1-1 and Cooper played well. Andy Roxburgh had always admired the wingers skills and wanted to include Cooper in the 1990 World Cup squad. Sadly, an injury put paid to Davies chances of going, and his final cap was to be in a low key friendly against Egypt at Hampden in 1990. It brought the curtain down on a mixed international career full of highs and lows.

The Jock Stein Years 1978-85

Coopers Scotland career got started in earnest when, after a disappointing 1978 World Cup, Jock Stein replaced Ally McLeod as manager. Stein gave Cooper his first cap in a friendly match against Peru in 1979. The winger played well and soon received another call up, featuring against Austria in a crucial European championship qualifier, which finished 1-1. However, after this promising start Coopers international career ground to a halt for a number of years. This barren spell with the national side coincided with Coopers lack of first team football, and poor form, at Ibrox under manager John Greig.

Coops international career was kick started again in 1982 when Jock Wallace replaced John Greig as Rangers manager. Indeed, Coopers best run of form for Scotland was in the qualification matches for the 1986 World Cup finals. In probably his greatest performance in a dark blue Jersey, Scotland emphatically defeated Spain 3-1 at Hampden:

“It was the best performance at that level I have been involved in. Every one of us was at the top of his form and it really was a privilege to be in the side.”

However, Coopers defining moment for Scotland was in a nail biting world cup decider against Wales in 1985. A draw was all Scotland needed to ensure a qualification play-off. The game started badly for Scotland with Mark Hughes scoring for Wales in the first half. Cooper started on the bench and replaced Gordon Strachan midway through the second half. With ten minutes remaining on the clock Scotland’s world cup dreams were fading fast. Suddenly Scotland were awarded a dramatic penalty. There was only one man for the job - Super Cooper::

“Eventually I steeped up, hit it well and watched in horror as Neville dived the correct way and looked for all the world as if he was going to save it. But after what seemed an eternity the ball somehow squirmed under the line. Big Roy hit me first and then the rest piled in and when I looked over to the bench Alex Ferguson and a few other were celebrating.”

However, jubilation soon turned to grief as Jock Stein collapsed in the dugout suffering a heartache and died shortly afterwards. Cooper recalls the team hearing the news that big Jock had passed away, in the dressing room, after the match:

“It was a dreadful moment when nothing, least of all a football match, seemed to have any significance. No one moved, no one did anything.”

Scotland eventually went onto to qualify for the 1986 finals beating Australia in a play off. In a typically humble and respectful fashion Cooper summed-up the achievement - “We did it for Jock".