Ex-Hearts captain Alan Anderson awarded Scotland cap after 53-year wait

Gary Locke with former Hearts captain Alan Anderson as he receives his Scotland cap.

Former Hearts captain Alan Anderson has been awarded a Scotland cap after a 53-year wait.

He was presented with the honour by another ex-Tynecastle skipper, Gary Locke, to recognise his appearances in the 1967 Oceanic Tour.

Anderson played in seven of Scotland’s nine matches on the trip during May and June that year. Five of the fixtures have been upgraded to full international status to earn him a retrospective cap from the Scottish Football Association more than five decades later.

His five appearances came in a 2-1 win against Israel in Tel Aviv, three victories over Australia in Sydney [1-0], Adelaide [2-1] and Melbourne [2-0], plus a 7-2 rout of Canada in Winnipeg.

Anderson, now 80, was met by Locke at Ferryfield House in Edinburgh, where he currently resides and is receiving top-quality care.

His long wait for proper international recognition was a proud moment for the former centre-back and his family, who gathered to celebrate the achievement with him.

Hearts colleagues Jim Cruickshank and Jim Townsend played alongside him for Scotland during the 1967 Tour.

Edinburgh-born Anderson joined Hearts at a cost of £1,500 from Scunthorpe United in November 1963. He went on to become a stalwart of the defence at Tynecastle and made 475 competitive appearances over the following 12 years.

Many of those were as club captain and he is widely regarded as one of the most reliable centre-halves ever to don a maroon shirt.