CUIDE RI CATHY – ALAN ROUGH
Monday 11 May, 10pm, BBC ALBA
ALAN ROUGH REVEALS HOW HE NEARLY LOST AN ARM AS A CHILD AND TALKS CANDIDLY ABOUT THE ILL-FATED 1978 WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN
Scottish football legend Alan Rough reveals an arm injury sustained in a childhood accident almost led to him becoming an amputee and admits that it was fortunate for his career they could save his arm as he “kind of needed it later on.”
In a revealing insight into the life of the former Scotland, Partick Thistle and Celtic goalkeeper, Alan spends the day with Cathy Macdonald for the latest programme in the Cuide ri Cathy series on BBC ALBA.
Their day together begins in unusual surroundings for a footballer turned radio pundit – mucking out stables at his home near Cumbernauld. Alan keeps a variety of animals and admits he is more likely to be kicked by a horse than a football boot these days but maintains he’d prefer to take his chances in the rough and tumble of the six yard box.
As a child, Alan had to have an operation on his arm after a fall in a climbing accident. Initially he was told his arm would be amputated but it was only the opinion of a second doctor, who thought he could operate successfully without the need for amputation, which saved his arm. It was the actions of this doctor that meant he could have a glittering football career, winning 53 caps for Scotland and playing in some of the finest stadiums around the world.
Speaking candidly about the ill-fated 1978 World Cup campaign, Roughy admits that the players never believed they could win the trophy – despite the optimism of manager Ally Macleod. However, Alan maintains that Macleod should not be remembered as a failure due to the players’ poor performances but instead be associated with the wave of optimism he created across the nation.
Cathy concludes her day with Alan at the studios of Real Radio, with the cameras getting a behind the scenes look at the popular football phone-in. Host Ewen Cameron drags her into the studio live on air to ask if Alan and Cathy have been drinking during their day together. Both deny the accusation which leads to host Ewen making an on-air apology in Gaelic!
CUIDE RI CATHY will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Monday 11 May at 22.00 and is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110.