Open Mic: 1967, Scotland's Greatest Year

When I missed the last Open Mic on racism in sport, I vowed to get involved with the next topic.

So when the Open Mic e-mail came through yesterday, inviting me to comment on the greatest sporting achievements, I couldn't wait to get started!

I feel that the Open Mic series gives an even more personal touch to Bleacher Report and it's important to choose a topic you're proud of.

Back in 1966, England were World Champions, but in 1967 it was very much Scotland's year!

The Scots travelled to Wembley on April 15 to face an English side who were undefeated in 19 games.

Denis Law open the scoring in front of a crowd of marginally under 100,000. Bobby Lennox doubled the lead before Jack Charlton pulled one back for the home side late on.

Scotland though, withstood the pressure and scored again through Jim McCalliog. I've seen this goal many times, and the smooth one-twos followed by the fine finish were worthy of winning any game, and is still regarded highly amongst Scotland's greatest goals.

World Cup Final hero Geoff Hurst scored a minute later, but Scotland were to hang on and crown themselves "World Champions!"

Just over a month later on the 25th of May, Glasgow Celtic walked out onto the pitch at Portugal's National Stadium in Lisbon to face Italy's Internazionale (Inter Milan).

The occasion was the European Cup Final.

Celtic went behind early on after an Alessandro Mazzola penalty in the seventh minute. The Scots, however, dominated the rest of the match. Tommy Gemmell levelled the tie in the 63rd minute before a Steve Chalmers deflection won the game for Celtic in the 83rd minute.

Celtic were the European Champions!

The side dubbed the Lisbon Lions were all born within 30 miles of Celtic's Parkhead stadium and are, I believe, still the only side to have won the European Cup/Champions League with 11 domestic (in this case Scottish) players.

Quite a feat that in the modern era is likely to go unmatched for years to come.

Inter Milan's goal was also peppered with 39 shots in an Italian master class in defending that went painfully and very publicly wrong!

The Scots also became the first British side to lift the Cup, and although England have had many successes in the same tournament over the years, Celtic will always be the first British name on the trophy.

So in football terms, 1967 was Scotland's year.

Scotland's greatest footballing achievement!