Dunno, but this is what Wikipedia says: "Hansen won the last of his 26 Scotland caps in 1987. The reason given for his lack of caps by Scotland coaches of the late 1970s and the whole of the 1980s was that a formidable partnership had formed between players Willie Miller and Alex McLeish at Aberdeen (managed at the time by Alex Ferguson). Indeed, Ferguson (in temporary charge after the sudden death of Jock Stein) controversially dropped Hansen from the squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, citing Hansen's poor international form and reluctance to play international friendly games in the warm up to the World Cup as the reason." So it's Fergie's fault again.
I'd never realised he only played so few times - its hard to believe - not sure that the scottish defence was that good they could overlook someone of his quality
Didn't he have a lot of tactical 'injuries' when it came to friendlies? But was always fit to play for Liverpool in their next game. Scotland were as good as England during his best years, they had a decent side.
During the 1980's Scotland tended to favour home-based players, especially in defence. That meant players like Willie Miller & Alex McLeish from Aberdeen and David Narey & Paul Hegarty from Dundee United were picked before the likes of Alan Hansen and Gordon McQueen. The two clubs mentioned did have some success both domestically and in Europe to help justify their selection. Personally, I thought Hansen was vastly superior to those players and would have chosen him every time.
Re: During the 1980's And if my memory serves me right he gifted the Soviets a goal in the 82 world cup that sealed their early exit. I think he was blamed by many for the group stage exit.
Too right. The Scottish side in the early 80's had some proper quality players. They may not have had a team full of top quality but they certainly had four or five players that would have got into the England team.
Didn't realise that. The guy was a genuine quality defender. I do recall some club versus country issues, but not to the extent where he has less caps than Colin Calderwood. Still, Glenn Hoddle has about half the caps of Lampard. All wrong.
Lampard is one of the best midfielders of the past 10 years in the WORLD so to suggest Hiddle was better is harsh. Hoddle was good but he never reached the heights that Lampard has.
Hoddle was a far superior player. One of the most technically gifted the world has seen, never mind England.
Different era's so hard to compare players but Lampards record stands up against any midfielder ever in this country and far outweighs Hoddles record
Hansen is one of the best defenders I've ever seen - incredible reader of the game - he was coolness personified
True. Hoddle played in an era when you were allowed to kick the **** out of the midfield playmaker and get away with it, and he still shone. Lampard's international record far outstrips Hoddle's, and his club record completely eclipses it, but I know who I'd rather have in an England XI. Still, Le Tiss barely got a handful of games on the international stage. Heskey has more caps than Hoddle. Some things aren't easy to explain.
That's the guy I remember. Proof that you didn't need electric pace to be a defender if you had the brains to see the pass before the forward did.
Re: I think on the days Scotland were playing Always liked the golf course and side stepped a few friendlies. Jimmy Johnstone only had 23 caps which is just as amazing.
Dundee United reached the European Cup semi in '84. played AS Roma, winning 2-0 at home and being accused of being on drugs, then cheated 3-0 away to a bribed ref. would have humped liverpool in the final. in '87 got to UEFA cup final and lost 2-1 on aggregate.
