Gordon McQueen
Following yesterday’s sad news that Gordon McQueen is suffering from vascular dementia, I felt it would be nice to write an article about his playing career.
McQueen started his career at St Mirren, playing first team football for two years at Love Street between 1970 and 1972. Leeds manager Don Revie brought him south of the border to replace veteran centre half Jack Charlton.
First team opportunities were hard to come by in his first season at the club. He made up for this the following season and played almost every game as Leeds won the league title at a canter.
His performances drew the attention of Willie Ormond, the Scotland national team manager and McQueen made his international debut later that year. Sadly, he didn’t make the cut for the 1974 World Cup squad.
Leeds had a great run in the European Cup in the 1974/75 season and reached the Final but McQueen couldn’t play after he was sent off in the semi final.
Manchester United came in and signed the Scot in early 1978 for £500,000. In doing so, he became one of a handful of players to play for both clubs either side of the Pennines.
McQueen was called up to the Scotland World Cup squad in 1978. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and he didn’t play in any of the matches in Argentina.
Manchester United reached the FA Cup Final in McQueen’s first full season at Old Trafford. He scored for United in the 85th minute to make the score 2-1. Arsenal had dominated the match, but his goal sparking an incredible final few minutes.
Sammy McIllroy equalised two minutes after McQueen’s effort, only for Arsenal to go straight down the other end and score a winner!
Four years after the disappointment of the losing against Arsenal, United beat Brighton 4-0 in the FA Cup Final. It was to be the only major trophy that McQueen won in his career.
After his playing day were over, McQueen tried his hand at coaching and briefly managed Airdrieonians. In more recent times, he has worked for Sky Sports as a pundit.
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