Gordon Strachan at altitude, 1986: Leeds at the World Cup
It was the fashion in Mexico for players to celebrate goals by hurdling advertising hoardings, but when Strachan ran to the crowd the boards were almost up to his chest.
Scotland couldn't get a break from their World Cup groups. After being drawn with Brazil in 1982, they had a triple challenge in Mexico for the 1986 World Cup. Group E contained West Germany, one of Europe's outstanding sides; Uruguay, formidable representatives of South America; and Denmark, a law unto themselves, unseeded but capable of winning the whole tournament.
Scotland were being managed by Aberdeen's Alex Ferguson after Jock Stein's shocking death at the end of their qualification match against Wales in 1985. He ensured the team didn't underestimate Denmark in their opening match, but the 1-0 defeat was a hard sell. They'd have to turn on in their second match, but their second opponent was the one nobody could underestimate: West Germany.
West Germany, though, had drawn 1-1 with Uruguay and were worried. Manager Franz Beckenbauer had extraordinary resources: Felix Magath, Lothar Matthäus, Rudi Völler; Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the bench. Leeds United fans muttered that he probably had a few referees to help him, too. But Scotland — Scotland had Gordon Strachan.
Or did they? That was bothering Beckenbauer the most. Strachan went off fifteen minutes before the end against Denmark, and rife rumours said he wouldn't be fit to face West Germany. Kenny Dalglish hadn't made the tournament at all due to injury, leaving Strachan to make Scotland's attack tick. His presence or otherwise was paramount to Beckenbauer's planning.
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