Adventures in the Golden Age
Scotland in the World Cup Finals 1974-1998
Published on 4. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-78530-864-2 (ISBN)
Description
'A MAGNIFICENTLY INSIGHTFUL READ' CRAIG BROWN
THE ENTHRALLING INSIDE STORY OF SCOTTISH FOOTBALL'S GOLDEN AGE
It's been a long wait since 1998. Over a quarter of a century since Scotland last qualified for the World Cup finals. But recent years have offered a glimmer of hope. With qualification for the last two Euro Championship finals, play-offs in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup approaching, could the long wait finally be over?
Qualification has never been easy, but the golden age of nail-biting nights is well worth remembering. Archie Macpherson commentated on all of Scotland's World Cup matches during that purple patch, from the Zaire crash of 1974 to the defeat against Morocco in 1998. As the voice of Scottish football, Macpherson knew the players, the managers and the fans. He captured the adventure of competing with Iran, Peru, Costa Rica and Brazil, witnessing clashes of personality, managerial rages and so much more.
Now, in the hope that the glory days may return, he tells every detail of the matches and men of the greatest tournament on earth in Adventures in the Golden Age.
'A wonderful history, breathing life into matches and tournaments that have been buried under decades of comment' Hugh MacDonald, The Herald
THE ENTHRALLING INSIDE STORY OF SCOTTISH FOOTBALL'S GOLDEN AGE
It's been a long wait since 1998. Over a quarter of a century since Scotland last qualified for the World Cup finals. But recent years have offered a glimmer of hope. With qualification for the last two Euro Championship finals, play-offs in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup approaching, could the long wait finally be over?
Qualification has never been easy, but the golden age of nail-biting nights is well worth remembering. Archie Macpherson commentated on all of Scotland's World Cup matches during that purple patch, from the Zaire crash of 1974 to the defeat against Morocco in 1998. As the voice of Scottish football, Macpherson knew the players, the managers and the fans. He captured the adventure of competing with Iran, Peru, Costa Rica and Brazil, witnessing clashes of personality, managerial rages and so much more.
Now, in the hope that the glory days may return, he tells every detail of the matches and men of the greatest tournament on earth in Adventures in the Golden Age.
'A wonderful history, breathing life into matches and tournaments that have been buried under decades of comment' Hugh MacDonald, The Herald
Reviews / Votes
'Archie Macpherson is the most eloquent, persuasive and informed witness . . . it serves as wonderful history, breathing life into matches and tournaments that seem to have been buried under decades of comment.' * The Herald *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bonnier Books Ltd
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
300 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78530-864-2 (9781785308642)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Archie Macpherson was born and raised in Glasgow. After attending Coatbridge High School and Jordanhill College he played football at amateur level for various teams including Queens Park Hampden XI. His full-time broadcasting career started with the BBC in 1969 and he was the principal commentator and presenter on Sportscene. More recently he has worked for Eurosport, Scottish Television, Radio Clyde, BBC Five Live and Setanta. In 2005 he was presented with a BAFTA Award for special contribution to Scottish broadcasting. He has written four bestselling books, including the definitive biography of Jock Stein, of which The Herald said, "Quite simply, this book is brilliant . . . a gem."