Although many outsiders looking into the world of Scottish football might believe it’s a ‘two-team pyramid’, there are so many stories to disprove this tired theory. In fact, Scottish football has had its fair share of giant killings in the history of its cup competitions, demonstrating the strength of the country’s football scene.
There’s also been some rude awakenings at an international level, with Scotland’s national team having been on the receiving end of some embarrassing ‘bad beats’ in years gone by. The term bad beats is derived from poker terminology and is used to describe scenarios where poker hands which were heavy underdogs pre-flop defeat a very strong hand post-flop.
Essentially, the underdog had no business in competing on the same level, let alone winning the pot. It’s a similar story for some of the Scottish football upsets we’re about to uncover, including the most recent tale of a sixth-tier junior club having the audacity to knock out an SPL giant.
Sixth-tier Darvel stun SPL Aberdeen
Yes, that’s right, a team plying their trade in the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid – the West of Scotland Premier Division – managed to knock out one-time European Cup Winner’s Cup winners Aberdeen to reach the fifth round of the 2022/23 Scottish Cup.
It’s considered one of the greatest bad beats in the competition’s history. Aberdeen went into this game in a precarious mental state following a 5-0 thrashing by Hearts in the midweek. Boss Jim Goodwin was already tipped for the sack and this staggering loss at the 2,200-capacity Recreation Park was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Highland League champs Brora Rangers dump Hearts out of the cup
Fifth-tier side Brora Rangers stunned Heart of Midlothian in the second round of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 win at Dudgeon Park. Brora are four-time champions of the Highland League but Hearts were in supreme form at the time of this cup tie. They were 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship, as they sought to make their sojourn into the Scottish second tier a brief one.
Brora took an early lead through Jordan Macrae, which gave the unfancied hosts a major psychological boost and something to hold onto. Even when Hearts equalized through veteran Christophe Berra, Brora responded bravely to regain the lead just five minutes later. It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Scotland comprehensively beaten by Kazakhstan in Astana
Scottish football fans have also seen their national team embarrassed at international level in recent years. Scotland travelled to Astana to face Kazakhstan in a Euro 2020 qualifier. Scotland were trounced 3-0 by the Kazakhs, who couldn’t believe their luck. According to sports data firm Gracenote, this was statistically the worst ever result for the men’s Scottish national side. Gracenote had Scotland ranked as the world’s 45th best side pre-match, with Kazakhstan down as low as 136th.
The humiliation was ultimately the final straw for the Scottish FA, with boss Alex McLeish relieved of his duties to be replaced by current chief, Steve Clarke. Clarke has breathed life into Scotland’s team in recent times, moving them into contention for Euro 2024 qualification.
Albion Rovers edge out an in-form Motherwell on home soil
Albion Rovers were plying their trade in the Scottish League Two at the time of their fourth-round Scottish Cup tie with Lanarkshire neighbours Motherwell. Motherwell went into this game third in the Scottish Premier League in red-hot form.
Albion even agreed to have the tie staged at a neutral venue, New Douglas Park, to ensure a better attendance for the contest. Although Motherwell drew much of the 2,950-strong crowd, it was the Rovers fans who were delirious at the final whistle, with Gary Phillips’ 80th minute shot snatching a late win. It was the first time Albion had defeated Motherwell in 34 league and cup meetings.
Fraserburgh showed the way for Highland League teams against top-flight opponents
We’re going back over 60 years for our fifth and final bad beat in Scottish football history. In fact, we’re going to 1959 when Fraserburgh entertained top-flight opposition in the shape of Dundee. Dundee would go on to finish fourth in the Scottish Premier Division that season.
Fraserburgh were the trailblazers for cup upsets, becoming the first Highland League team ever to knock out a top-flight team in the Scottish Cup. Johnny Strachan’s headed goal, along with some goalkeeping heroics from Danny Mowatt, ensured a grim afternoon for The Dee.