Tom Forsyth says sorry

THE back pages were dominated by the build-up to the Scotland versus Spain match but a trawl through the inside pages of the Sun uncovered extracts from Jaws: The Tom Forsyth Story.

A formidable defender for Rangers during the 1970s, Forsyth was a member of Ally MacLeod's Scotland's 1978 World Cup squad and admitted the much-hyped national side's failure still troubles him.

"I still think about Argentina every day," he revealed. "It haunts me. It does."

While he's happy to take his share of the blame for Scotland's elimination in the first phase following their failure to beat Peru and Iran, Forsyth is also keen to point out a few other flaws in their preparations.

Speaking of the critics who lambasted Scotland, Forsyth said: "They cite Ally MacLeod's lack of experience and professionalism, which sadly were all too true.

"They recall the hype and ill-conceived send-off at Hampden, all unwise. They rehash the Willie Johnston affair which was hardly a help.

"But there was another reason for ''78. We, the players, didn't do our jobs."

Forsyth even issues a rather touching apology to the nation: "We didn't do ourselves, or the Scottish people, justice. And for that I apologise."