Thursday 22 February 2024

Ray Stewart: Penalty king

Admittedly it doesn't take much, but my mind immediately rewound to the 1980s as I watched Rangers' James Tavernier fire home two penalties against St Johnstone recently. Tavernier's expertise from the spot was clear for all to see, his goals sealing a 3-0 win for Rangers that took the club to the top of the Scottish Premiership. The second penalty that day was Tavernier's 64th success from the spot. Not bad for a right back. 

But a right back who enjoys taking penalties is nothing new. For in the 1980s there was a man who was prolific from 12 yards out, a player renowned for this ability from the spot. A Scottish full back that will forever be remembered for his penalty prowess. Step forward Raymond Strean McDonald Stewart.

Thursday 8 February 2024

Golden goals: Johnny Metgod (1986)

Thunderbastard. A football goal scored usually from long-range with high degrees of velocity and power. Think Davie Cooper in the 1987 Scottish League Cup final. Steven Reid for Blackburn against Wigan. Roughly 93% of Tony Yeboah's goals for Leeds. You can volley your xG into the stands. Here is a football term that should be celebrated.

Helpfully the Urban Dictionary definition in the opening sentence above gives an example of a memorable goal that happens to be the subject of this piece: "Metgod's free kick against West Ham in 1986 was an absolute thunderbastard of a strike. Probably the thunderbastard of all thunderbastards." Phil Parkes would probably agree.