‘The time has come, the time really has come...Scotland can still rise now and be a nation again.’
Sky Sports' commentator Ian Crocker’s voice over has become as iconic as the David Marshall save which sent millions of Scots households into a frenzy.
It was a moment that sparked scenes not seen in 22 years as the national side ignited bedlam from Belgrade.
For Andy Bargh, though, it was the moment he put pen to paper, as he realised his lifelong dream to write all about his country being back in the big time, as they qualified for Euro 2020.
Flash forward to February 2023 and those early notes have become his first book ‘A Nation Again,’ giving a fly on the wall look into Scotland’s journey to that famous night against Serbia in November 2020.
Andy, 29, from Troon, has become a familiar voice in Scottish football, airing to thousands of listeners and viewers every week on BBC Sportsound and Sportscene.
The former newspaper journalist has risen to the role as commentator for games across the top flight.
But all throughout travelling from Dundee to Dingwall, Andy has kept scribing out each chapter of his master plan.
Any told Ayrshire Live: “I started writing it straight after penalties. I got up the next morning and starting jotting everything down.
“Growing up I used to read books about World Cups and major tournaments in the past.
“I remember reading about the World Cup in 72’ and 78’. I used to think it must be amazing to get to write about Scotland at a major tournament.
“It just became a dream of mine. When Marshall made that save, I realised that dream could become reality.”
Scotland-daft Andy didn’t want to dwell too much on the past as he avoided the wilderness years of abject failure.
Instead he got to work telling the story of the events that started after a fruitless qualification campaign for the World Cup in 2018 and ends with Steve Clarke’s marvels in the Serbian capital, and all the drama in-between.
Helping tell the story is some of the key characters involved themselves including sacked manager Alex McLeish who gave three hours of his time.
Players including Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie, John McGinn, Declan Gallagher and Lyndon Dykes also had their say and there was even room for the man of the moment, David Marshall.
“McLeish gave me three hours on a zoom call,” Andy added.
“A lot of what it was about was using my contacts that I’ve picked up through my work.
“Everyone who I spoke to were all quite relaxed and had good memories to share.
“I think it helped that the story has got a happy ending. All of them contributed brilliantly.
“I don’t allow myself to get star struck. But there was a moment I recall seeing my phone buzz with ‘David Marshall is calling you’, that was quite a cool moment.”
The book was launched last month via Pitch Publishing, with Marshall, now playing with Hibs, turning up to support the launch at a special event in Glasgow pub Sloans.
Championing the book is also Troon shop Bearing Gifts, who urged local readers to pick up a copy.
Andy added: “The support I’ve had from everyone has been great, it was never about a financial endeavour for me, it was about realising a dream.
“In many ways the book is a nice keepsake of that time. Covid stopped fans being a part of those crucial play offs, so this is very much a souvenir for those who couldn’t be there.”
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