Pain of Jock Stein's loss lingers with Graeme Sharp

Graeme Sharp still easily recalls the sense of shock which enveloped the Scotland dressing room at Ninian Park 25 years ago today following the death of Jock Stein.

The former Everton striker had celebrated with his team-mates after the 1-1 draw with Wales had secured a World Cup play-off place against Australia with the prize at stake a place at the 1986 finals in Mexico. However, unbeknown to Sharp, Scotland manager Stein had collapsed on the final whistle and he subsequently died from a heart attack minutes later.

Sharp said that the night which stunned Scottish football remains fresh in his mind. "We went from one extreme of emotions to the other that night," he said. "On the pitch, when the final whistle went, we were delighted to have got to the World Cup play-offs, we were elated.

"We were unaware of what had happened with Jock until we got back to the dressing room.

"At first we thought it might not have been too bad but there were whispers that it was and then we were told he had passed away. There was such a sense of shock among the players and backroom staff. I was staying with Andy Gray that night and when we drove home we were still in a state of shock."

Stein managed Dunfermline and Hibs before he famously won the European Cup in 1967 with Celtic and counted nine Scottish First Division titles in succession with the Parkhead club among his many triumphs. In 1978 he became manager of Leeds United but departed after only 44 days in charge at Elland Road to take the post of Scotland manager.

Scotland held one minute of applause to mark the 25th anniversary ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein at Hampden and Celtic will have a similar tribute when they host Hearts tomorrow.

Sharp added: "When you think of what he had achieved at Celtic, winning the European Cup with players all born within 30 miles of Parkhead, it is incredible. He was ahead of his time in many ways."