Recalling the Scottish rugby glory days of 1999’s Five Nations title - Vladimir McTavish
This afternoon, Scotland’s rugby team walk with destiny. The entire nation will be walking right behind them all the way.
This will feel unfamiliar to younger readers. Many us obviously will recall the Five Nations title in 1999. Older stagers like myself will remember the glory years of 1984 and 1990 when we won the Grand Slam twice in a decade.
To me, those memories seem clear as yesterday because of TV re-runs. Also back then, I was the same age as the players. Not that I was involved, but I did graduate from Newcastle Polytechnic on the same day as Scott Hastings. He won’t remember as we never met. Yet the stardust from our alma mater must have rubbed off on him.
The major difference time is that back then I stayed 100 miles south of the border. I was excited beyond belief, but it was a largely solitary feeling. I have now been in Edinburgh for over two decades and over the past few weeks I can the feel excitement all around me.
With me, there is also a personal connection. One of the team is my next-door neighbour. Any glory coming the way of Scotland will not involve just Edinburgh but my wee patch of the Capital. If we win today, I will leave a bottle of fizz on his doorstep.
Another difference is that 40 years ago the players were amateur. Today’s team are professionals in 100 per cent condition. All are muscle-bound and they can all move very fast too.
Today we also boast a golden generation of Scottish talent, a back line with attacking brilliance. We have world-class players, conducted by the sublime conjurer Finn Russell. In 50 years of watching our national team, Finn is far and away the most brilliant player I have seen in the dark blue.
A win today is well with this side’s capabilities. That opinion has to be taken with a pinch of salt, given my appalling predictive skills
Having said that, I am wrapping that bottle now to put on my neighbour’s doorstep tomorrow morning.