Having done a bad campaign in the previous edition, even though the Blues starred in one of the greatest performances of all-time against England, Scotland was considered as the main favorite to win the 1928/29 edition. Hughie Gallacher, the famous Newcastle United centre-forward, was being quite questioned due to his attitudes and football, which was no longer comparable to his previous versions. The first match was played against the former champions, Wales.


NOMAD: The many soccer enthusiasts who had been thinking that Hughie Gallacher, the Newcastle United leader, had lost the art of goal-scoring, must, after the little Scot's feat for his country on Saturday, have swiftly changed their opinion.

Gallacher proved in the Ibrox Park game that he is still a great leader and no one knows better how to get goals. There are a lot of these in Gallacher's boots yet, and if he can only get the necessary support in club matches I believe Hughie would not be long in again providing the brilliant football which thrilled the crowds not only at St. James's Park, but all over the country two seasons ago.


In the first clash, Gallacher confirmed that he was still the main centre-forward of Scotland. Wee Gallacher was in his best form, and in outstanding condition of football knowledge. Many criticized that Gallacher had lost his goal-scoring capacity, but the Scottish genius proved that they were wrong. In addition to being a fundamental gear for Scotland's offensive creativity, Gallacher showed his former scoring capacity. Of the four goals scored by the Blues in the victory in Ibrox Park, Gallacher scored a hat-trick. This was the second hat-trick that Gallacher scored wearing Scotland's shirt.

CENTRE'S FOUR OR CENTRE'S FIVE?

At Windsor Park, Belfast, the second match was played. Gallacher once again performed brilliantly.

In less than fifteen minutes, Gallacher had scored three goals for Scotland. The fourth goal came in the first few minutes of the second half. However, there was a controversy over the sixth goal scored by Scotland. Many considered that Alex James had been the scorer of the goal. According to Gallacher himself, however, he was the scorer of the goal. Therefore, this would be the fifth goal in an exceptional performance of the Scottish centre-forward. Gallacher was all his football splendor. Back in the day, it was commented that Gallacher was playing more for Scotland than Newcastle United himself, and that Gallacher had always performed more willingly when he wore the Scottish shirt.


MATCH REPORT: Jackson and Gallacher were the two outstanding personalities in the game. Gallacher's positional play has been rarely, if ever, bettered. He always seemed to be on the spot when wanted, while Jackson's speed, control of the ball, and strong finishing was a revelation to those who had not before seen him.


The last match would be against England. Both Scotland and England had ended in a penultimate and last, respectively. This time, the two teams were fighting for the first place of the championship.

In Hampden Park, 23/02/1929, with an attendance above 100,000 people, the decision for first place was disputed. This was a match in which Gallacher did not have as many opportunities to appear, largely because James Seddon had given the Scottish centre-forward a lot of trouble. Gallacher, nevertheless, still managed to find opportunities to pass the ball to the wingers, but those rare passes did little to dispel the feeling that he was not fulfilling his part. It seemed that Gallacher would not eventually score, and the fact that Alec Jackson suffered an injury in the second half helped to decrease Gallacher's performance.


THOMAS MOULT: Even Jimmy McMullan showed quite ordinary distinction. Neither backs nor halves were failures, though Buchanan was inclined to be his rash and hasty as well as hefty self, but Meiklejohn, alongside him, was a splendidly steadying force, s well as a masterful constructionist. And how valuable this constructive work was — McMullan, of course, had a worthy share in it — may be understood when it is stated that the home left wing and Gallacher in the centre were like hungry wolves for work.

Morton and James were easily the best wing on the field. As individualists they showed the utmost brilliance. Their centreing was a delight to witness, and James was one of the three Alexanders in the Scotland attack. James was Alexander the Great. Morton, James, and to a slightly lesser extent Gallacher, outshone their own colleagues easily. They also made the England eleven look a colourless side.


In just three matches played, Hughie Gallacher has scored an impressive eight goals. For those who have criticized Gallacher's lack of goals in recent times, the genius centre-forward has left an excellent impression. Gallacher obviously ended as the main scorer of the championship, and won the 41st edition of the International Championship.