DANNY McGRAIN yesterday re-told the story about the threat to his legendary beard when Celtic were drawn against Partizan Tirana in the European Cup in 1979. The Celtic captain was told that he would not be allowed into Albania with his facial hair and if he wanted to get past passport control he would be required to shave it off completely!
“It made for a great story but it was a fallacy that beards weren’t allowed in Albania. I was told by someone at the club I was going to have to shave my beard when Celtic played there.
Albania was the most isolated of countries behind the Iron Curtain and it really was a trip into the unknown for Celtic, who lost the match 1-0 before recovering at Celtic Park in the return fixture, winning that one 4-1.
“There was all sorts of rumours flying around about communist Russia and Eastern Bloc countries,” Danny continued.
“I thought that Albania was the same, that the guy running the country had banned Albanians from having beards and listening to rock music. And the story was they thought I was coming into the country to corrupt their youth!
“I genuinely thought the beard was going to have to come off. It had taken me two years to get a decent growth on it, too!
“But nobody said anything about my beard when I went to Albania. Nothing ever transpired.”
The trip to Albania in 1979 must have been really strange – very few foreigners had been allowed into that country since the war and it certainly left The Celtic legend with an uneasy feeling or two.
“I remember it strange that all the men were walking hand in hand in the streets!
“We also took our own chef and food. We had scrambled eggs and toast and beans and toast for our pre-match meal.
“We had taken our own beans but when I got mine I was served green beans and toast.
“I tried to explain we had our own beans and that I didn’t want green beans.
“Green beans are fine but not with toast!”
*Danny McGrain was speaking to the media to promote the ‘Legends of Scottish and World Football — an evening with Danny McGrain & Davie Hay’ event on 7 January at the Royal Concert Hall. Call 0141 353 8000 for tickets.
