of those we published.
DAVIE COOPER - A TRAGIC LOSS
In another day in another age of football we said of Ferenc Puskas ³he can¹t
head a ball, his right foot¹s for standing on and he doesn¹t tackle - but
with a left foot like his, who needs anything else?²
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 50¹s 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
didn¹t really come into his own until about the same time as Cooper the
person - in his late 20¹s.
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 Souness¹s 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 I¹ve 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 we¹ve all had but cant
describe as the pen got taken with the words ³alright there Wee man².Too
right I was alright. A man that was watching with me that day said ³See that
Cooper - hes going to be one of the best Rangers players ever². 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 couldn¹t
believe it. I couldn¹t 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 ³Old Firm Classics² 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 - ³You give him a
football and things happen².
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 ³Gold² 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 That¹s Davie Cooper - Hes
a Ranger². 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 ³Cross the ball, Cooper, fucking cross it!². Later I
realised. He was waiting for the rest to catch up.
NICKY SCOTT, LEEDS
Like so many others, I¹ve 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.
I¹m lucky enough to work close to Ibrox, so I¹ve been at the gates every
day. I¹ve watched the tributes grow daily to astonishing proportions. I¹ve
seen every newspaper, I¹ve watched people talking sadly about Coop on telly.
I¹ve seen the grieving crowds at the funeral and tonight I watched the
tribute to the man on the telly, yet those feelings just won¹t 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 can¹t 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. Coop¹s a true legend now and I¹m sure he would¹ve 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 don¹t 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