Jim Baxter's iconic 1967 Scotland jersey to go to auction

JIM BAXTER’S ICONIC 1967 SCOTLAND JERSEY TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER

No 6 shirt considered the most important Scotland jersey to ever go to auction

Jim Baxter’s jersey from the game that crowned Scotland ‘unofficial world champions’, will headline an auction of sporting medals and trophies in Glasgow next month.

The No 6 shirt was worn by ‘Slim Jim’ in the 3-2 win over England at Wembley in 1967, ending an unbeaten run of 19 matches by the then world champions. The game, in which Baxter memorably embarrassed the England stars with an impromptu display of keepie uppie skills, is considered one of the finest moments in Scottish football history.

Experts at McTear’s have estimated the jersey could fetch between £40k and £60k when it goes under the hammer on 3rd February.

Commenting on the auction, McTear’s sporting specialist, James Bruce, said: “This is a hugely significant piece of Scottish football history and arguably the most important Scotland football jersey ever to come to auction. To defeat the world champions in such dominant fashion was a remarkable feat, and one that cemented Jim Baxter’s reputation as one of the world’s great midfielders.

“The iconic scene in which Baxter runs down the touchline while juggling the ball, is loved by football fans across the globe and is a joy to behold. Indeed, former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, commented ‘it could have been set to music’.”

The left half is considered one of Scotland’s finest ever players, with football great, Pele, marvelling at his skill and proclaiming: “I wish he had been Brazilian”. In addition to his 150 appearances and ten trophies with Rangers, ‘Slim Jim’ gained 34 caps in the 1960s as a key member of strong Scottish teams, playing alongside other football luminaries including Billy McNeill, Pat Crerand, John White, Dave Mackay, Denis Law and John Greig.

Although Baxter didn’t score in the 1967 match, the game is considered by many to be his finest performance, with his incredible ball skills placing him head and shoulders above the other players. The European qualifier was played at Wembley stadium in front of 100,000 fans.

Baxter would play a further two games for Scotland before retiring from football in 1970. He passed away in 2001, aged 61.

The jersey is being sold by Mark Deighan on behalf of his father Jimmy McGarrity. Mr McGarrity was gifted the shirt by his friend, the former Chelsea player Alan Hudson, who in turn got it from the late England star Alan Ball. Mark said: “The jersey has been in our family for over 40 years. Unfortunately, my dad has not been well for some time and we decided that the time was right to sell the jersey to help him to do some of the things and see some of the places he has talked about over the years.”

The iconic shirt, which has been on display at Ibrox stadium for ten years, will feature along with a copy of the loan agreement and match programme, in McTear’s Heritage: Important Sporting Medals & Sh