DAVIE COOPER - A TRAGIC LOSS
In another day in another age of football we said of Ferenc Puskas "he
can't head a ball, his right foot's for standing on and he doesn't
tackle - but with a left foot like his, who needs anything else?"
Forty years or so on, the same phrase applied to Davie Cooper, whose
life has been cut so tragically short.
Puskas was captain of the Magical Magyers, the Hungarian team which
emerged in the 50's to give the sports world a new concept of football.
Davie appeared on the scene when wingers had become unfashionable -
and proved with club and country that this was a stupid notion when
wing men, right or left, were as good as he was. I always felt that
Cooper the player didn't really come into his own until about the same
time as Cooper the person - in his late 20's.
Certainly honours abounded earlier than this, but the introspective
young Cooper only wanted to play, then get away from it all. What
emerged later than it might have was someone who focused his skills,
honed then to the level of exceptional - and relaxed with the public
and the media to such an extent that he was heading a fair way towards
becoming a top television talent prior to his tragic death. Sports
stars come and they go.
But when they retire they are there with us to reminisce over great
moments, highlights of illustrious careers. Sadly, this will not be so
with Davie Cooper. Our reminiscences will have to be about him, not
with him.
WILLIE A, DUNIPACE
The keepie-uppie goal against Celtic
The pass to Durrant in the first live TV game
The penalty against Celtic in Souness's first Skol Cup Final
The cross for Butcher at Pitoddrie to win the league
The goal against Hibs Skol Cup semi 1985
The goal against Aberdeen in the Skol Cup final
The penalty against Wales
The Scottish Cup Final replay in 1981
The greatest player I've ever seen in a Rangers shirt
ALLY
One of my first ever memories of Rangers was in 1978, watching them
train at
Largs in preparation for the 1st leg of the European Cup game vs PSV
Eindhoven . On the training ground that day were the likes of Parlane,
Jardine, MacDonald, McLean, Russell, Johnstone, Smith and David
Cooper. I remember going up to Alex MacDonald and getting his
autograph, my first ever Rangers autograph and feeling that excited
buzz that we've all had but cant describe as the pen got taken with
the words "alright there Wee man".Too right I was alright. A man that
was watching with me that day said "See that Cooper - hes going to be
one of the best Rangers players ever". He was right.
I was driving round the M25 on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd March
when I heard the news that Davie Cooper was dead. I was shattered - I
couldn't
believe it. I couldn't believe that the man who had had my mouth
gaping in awe as a child, who had torn EVERY opposition player apart
at one time or another, who epitomised everything that Rangers are to
me was gone.
When I got home I stuck "Old Firm Classics" on the video - memories
and tears came easily. Memories always come easily when Davie Cooper
is mentioned. The list of great Cooper moments is endless and we all
have our favourites. Walter Smith summed it up when he said - "You
give him a football and things happen".
When I think of Davie Cooper I will remember many times, many games.
Particularly etched in my memory are his goal against Hearts at
Tynecastle in
1987 when he beat the whole team and scored; the game against Ives
Tampere when he was absolutely outstanding; his face as he was held
aloft by Coisty after scoring against Celtic in the 1986 Skol Cup
Final. The first time I saw the Dryborough Cup goal was when I got
the "Gold" video. That goal he scored did not surprise me - nothing
Coop could have done would ever surprise me. I knew his abilities
were endless.
There is one more moment that will forever be Cooper and that is the
free kick against Aberdeen in the 1987 Cup Final. Has a ball ever
been struck harder and truer? Ive never seen one. In the past, every
time I have watched that goal - and it must be hundreds of times - I
have got a lump in my throat and have felt a rush of pride as I
thought That's Davie Cooper - Hes a Ranger". The pride I feel will
be even greater next time I watch that strike.
When he left the club in 1989 I used to look forward to playing
Motherwell so
that I could, once again admire Coopers skills, getting a perverse
kick out of watching him waltz past current Rangers players and cross
the ball with that
left foot. I wanted Rangers to win - but I wanted Cooper to dazzle me
once
more. To think that we have been robbed of the chance to see him again
is very hard to take. I doubt we will never see his like again.
THE BEECHAMS BLUENOSE
Very sorry to hear the sad news about Davie Cooper.
I came to Glasgow in 1991, too late to witness his glorious
days playing for Rangers, but I heard about his marvellous skills
and could see his ability playing for Motherwell. Also remember
his great performance for
Scotland at Hampden Park against Spain in the qualifying game for
Mexico 86 and a couple of European Cup games against Spanish teams.
Or his comments on the TV set during Rangers Champions League games
in 1992-93. I only wished he could have played in the best Rangers
era alongside
McCoist, Hateley, Durrant, Gough, Laudrup, Mikhailitchenko, Huistra,
McCall... I have Rangers in a corner of my heart after spending
two and a half years in Glasgow and remember them every time I
see my Real Oviedo in the Spanish League. They also wear in blue.
As a modest Rangers supporter in the distance I regret the
tragic loss and hope that his excellent play inspire the youngsters
for the benefit of the Blues and Scotland.
Receive my condolences.
ROBERTO
I used to shout "Cross the ball, Cooper, fucking cross it!". Later I
realised. He was waiting for the rest to catch up.
NICKY SCOTT, LEEDS
Like so many others, I've been to the breathtaking shrine to Coop at
the Gates of Ibrox and left my best scarf, also a picture of the
legend himself with my own farewell message.
I'm lucky enough to work close to Ibrox, so I've been at the gates
every day. I've watched the tributes grow daily to astonishing
proportions. I've seen every newspaper, I've watched people talking
sadly about Coop on telly. I've seen the grieving crowds at the
funeral and tonight I watched the tribute to the man on the telly, yet
those feelings just won't go, words simply fail me.
We can only look back and be grateful that he was ever here, because
the memories he left can never be replaced. I look back with pride at
the memory of meeting Coop when I was a kid seeking an autograph. I
look back in awe at the memory of standing in the East Enclosure
watching the genius at work over the years and then I remember with
tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat that it is true - he really
is gone - I just can't understand it.
Credit must go to the supporters of other clubs and particularly those
of Celtic who came along to leave tributes at Ibrox and of course Fir
Park and Kilbowie. Coop's a true legend now and I'm sure he would've
been watching it all with his usual modesty, wondering if it was all
for him.
Yes that was Coop, a real gent, a real professional, a genuinely good
person and a real Ranger of the breed that they just don't make
anymore.
A generation of youngsters have been robbed of the chance to learn
from one of the most skilful players of all time and his family and
loved ones have suffered a tragic bereavement, my thoughts go out to
them. Anyway, Coop, thanks for the memories, you'll ver be forgotten.
DEVASTATED BLUE NOSE