Controversy


ALAN MACKIN

After falling out with ‘Well boss Ally McLeod and being more or less frozen out the first team. A rift between player and manager gifted Scottish football one of its most memorable interviews. When a reporter enquired as to who Alan would most like to meet, he responded, “Ally McLeod… …in a dark alley.”

ROB MATTHAEI

A similar incident would take place during the 1999/00 season when Dutch midfielder Rob Matthaei became frustrated with the lack of first team chances, he was quoted in a newspaper saying he would knock out manager Billy Davies if he was given the chance, needless to say he was left to rot in the reserves until his contract expired.

ANDY PATON

After a match against Partick Thistle at Firhill, Jags player Hugh Brown would give Andy such a severe head-butt. This left him so badly shaken, he would refuse to participate in the traditional post-match handshake.

COLIN MCNAIR

Colin was a promising young defender plying his trade at Falkirk when Tommy McLean swooped for his signature. One morning in training however, he lashed out so violently at his colleague Jim Griffin, who was left badly injured. Such was the severity of the assault that manager Tommy McLean sacked Colin on the spot. His professional football career would soon quickly peter out after a spell with Dumbarton as he turned to petty crime to fund a heroin addiction.

MOTHERWELL -VS- RANGERS

In a match at Fir Park in February 1978, Motherwell were up 2-0 and cruising thanks to goals from Vic Davidson and Jimmy O’Rourke. Obviously upset with how the game was panning out, a large portion of the visiting support invaded the pitch and refused to leave forcing the play to be halted and the players to leave the pitch. When play eventually resumed, the atmosphere had been altered significantly to the effect that Rangers and an inspired Derek Johnstone put five past ‘Well goalkeeper Stuart Rennie to win comfortably. The SFA investigated the matter and incredibly, allowed the result to stand.