ALLY MCCOIST has recalled the hilarious time the Scottish national team shared the stage with legendary crooner Rod Stewart at Madison Square Garden.
The much-loved Scots footballer-turned-pundit retold the tale to fellow pundit Ray Parlour and staffer Sam Ellard on TalkSport Breakfast on Friday.
The 60-year-old revealed how then-manager Craig Brown had taken his Scotland team across the pond to Connecticut for a pre-Euros tournament in the summer of 1996.
Whilst the team were working hard in New England, Brown found out that rocker Stewart was playing one of the most well-known venues in the world just 95 miles away in Manhattan, New York City.
Super Ally, as he is known by Rangers and Scotland supporters, shared how Brown told the players they could let themselves enjoy a one or two refreshments at the concert – but it got a bit out of hand.
McCoist said: “I’ll give you a bit of information my old son. I’ve been on stage with Rod Stewart at Madison Square Garden – how does that grab you?
McCoist’s co-hosts are immediately skeptical, saying: “Oh give over. Madison Square Garden?”
Ally then jokes: “Yes or as it’s known in the trade – The Garden.”
Sam then asks: “I have to ask Ally McCoist, how on earth did you end up on stage with Rod Stewart?”
McCoist replies: “[The] Scotland team was there before the Euros, it might have been before Euro 96 or it might have been before Euro 92.
“Anyway Rod is playing in Madison Square Garden – I think it was ‘96 – and wee Craig Brown is the manager.
“He [Brown] said ‘right lads, we’re away to see Rod Stewart.’
“He [Brown] was brilliant, fantastic wee Broony, so we were training over in America in Connecticut doing a pre-tournament and Rod’s playing in Madison Square Garden.
“Wee Broony had a meeting after training and said right lads we’re off to see Rod Stewart at Madison Square Garden, he [Brown] said we’ll train in the morning, you can have one – maybe two – beers.”
However despite the best-laid plans of Craig Brown the Scotland team – which featured players such as Gary McAllister and John Collins – enjoyed themselves a bit too much according to McCoist
McCoist, who boasts 61 caps for his national side, then admits: “Well there’s footage of it knocking about.
“If you see the Scotland team onstage with Rod Stewart at Madison Square Garden, I can guarantee there’s been more than one or two beers taken.”
Scotland were knocked out of Euro 96 after a late Patrick Kluivert consolation for the Dutch in a 4-1 defeat to host nation England.
It meant Scotland were eliminated on goals scored as McCoist grabbed the sole goal versus Switzerland in a 1-0 win.
