DAVIE COOPER | The Moody Blue

[Music] Davy Cooper's nickname hinted at his enigmatic genius he shied away from publicity his left leg did most of the talking mostly he was a creator a mesmerizing dribbler and unselfish supplier of chances when he came from quite buying today in Jersey it didn't know like the spotlight at all it came here and I didn't man when I was working in the evening Times newspaper and Glasgow timeand and Cooke was getting this kind of reputation for not when to do interviews and this and that and they sent I got a reporter a girl called Barbara McMahon I remember when really just a trained actor said although they all been there and she tried to some you know stop David those their homes away as they walked by across the road Sheik a very short shrift and and he was tagged in the middie blue for the paper at that time like in a stock [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the driver was probably the best ball had ever seen everything seemed to happen in slow motion me you know Phil I was dynamic just over half your life disbelief um was what he was doing and it it seemed so easy so no insolent I'd be in the Scottish team that year and that was one of the first things that came up because these lads do in England and we didn't get what Scottish food more food is doing here that thing meant someone isn't that and he was she here what about you know what about this and never never seen it was it was terrific to watch so he was he was that good kind of member donhad in gaming and a cup final we seem to play dangerous during their early eighties early nineties and I've really got fennel I must have been about four of sex Dave a leaned up a freak at say the box [Applause] and it was sort flashing until in there it'll Jim Litton didn't realize it had been taken it was normally they call for a caller Devi who could open a tender piece without left peg of hers normally we'd go for technical : short but he blasted that and it was through the wall I think it was it was just sure sure where they aimed for the top corner the wall did its job they stood up never tinderbox no but generally and just never saw and you know that was a game when we we saw Davis real March 1 and qualities that thought well like most of Scotland's football gates Davi Cooper was born into an ordinary working-class family at home in Hamilton he had an older brother to teach him the ways of the world but Davian football soon discovered each other and football quickly took priority over his schoolwork in his teens he became an apprentice printer working for the brothers who ran his local amateur team his reputation grew quickly Coventry City and Crystal Palace with keen on the young Cooper but Davy was happy to stay at home then clay Bank came calling and went to unusual lengths to sign him so I did I went into the safe in the bank his club and I immediately took their previous night's taking the mundane a taking and that about 300 nod tones of beer stain notes so I got a motive his away from his machine and I sat on my car and I put these 300 night beer stain notes under his nose you know if they'd been in on Monday that I had got that phone call not a Tuesday I don't take the weekends drawings oh and David will go himself a couple of grand as the Cooper inspired Clydebank cringed the second division championship in 1976 the cure admirers grew Arsenal Aston Villa and Coventry City again among them but Davy was only interested in signing for Rangers the chance to impress soon arrived when flight Bank was drawn against his boyhood heroes in the 1976 League Cup the we Bank is remarkably forced to he plays before finally admitting defeat Cooper's planner in the right wing in the life bike for Rangers in the three games was John Gregg MBE the legend has it at Rangers and DV absolutely tormented them for the three marches minge tried to kick him on numerous occasions but couldn't get near him it was unbelievable I'd never seen the kid before and we all tried to fear myself to zero I just tried Neil him and it couldn't get near him I'm shortly after that that big joke wasn't from Tyrus but he stood out the matically and a dying game name and we were all he was just talking the dressing room you know which didn't have very often said you know different class invitations David Cooper's dream finally came true in June 1977 when Rangers manager jock Wallace came calling played bank lady 100,000 pounds for a player who cost them a night's bar takings Davey share was a cool 10th and bones equivalent at the time to two or three years wages for most men jock Wallace said at the time diva Cooper is the most exciting prospect and Scottish football with tremendous ability great skill Flair and he can get goals as well basically Cooper has it in him to become a real personality player and I can't wait to see him in arrangers Jersey calling Jackson it went to range about a month ahead of me and when I went there I befriended the new boys that they really looked after me because they knew that was I was a new player so it's Bobby Russell and David Cooper became my mates and and they were great and the strangest thing about David Cooper was that I couldn't believe he was first professional ever known he would come out after a game and tell you how well we did and say what a great girl we scored on right now I found that really strange he was so keen on Rangers running that that you know he think I played like that of that ability how could you be so humble wasted is to see how well you done but he was he was full of that it was absolutely fantastic to play alongside you know in my position when I played out front I was never one of these players that could you know beat three men and has a region shot from 25 yards I need he think I'm your mission you know from both wings and when you're dellux off told me my cleared on one say the coop on the other I mean they were absolutely perfect for me [Music] I think coop must have been involved in 30% of the rules I scored he was just so accurate he would just look up he would see me the back post and he magnificent straight over ball you know and you'd always find me the right post [Music] the bigger the stage the bigger the performance from Rangers new wizard and rebel old fella matches held no fears [Music] his Dhabi debut resulted in a 2-1 win ending instant respect from one of Scotland's and Europe's greatest food banks but there was a unnamed mere play against a creeper a few times he not made me a few times so with an eco adoration Society I wasn't looking forward to play against them that wasn't never scared of playing against them as I'm sure he was never scared of playing against me so play against theory and privity Vince Vaughn is a great pleasure [Music] David Cooper had an immense quantity born with it and I suppose we're trying to coach people to do that which is impossible to play against people at myself you're trying to do you we can week I had to be a strong personality as a Jimmie Johnson alligator all over the world football great be a very strong character I end up you getting over up but did it reached the pinnacle in Scotland to include for the Rangers we had a few Thursday meetings or the against Rangers eyebrows and subtle park but end of the day after whoever won Davis first man to shake my hand that would be heads whether he had one or we had one we never actually took her father now in the game it was pitch that gentleman [Music] [Applause] wait just a bit of deflection criminal cream liquor sixteen minutes gone to bring this ball biodata equipment lift words but just to be the slight touch to insanity [Applause] the three cake plans to hit the Dutch on [Applause] the Rangers my mother splendidly engineered go [Applause] there was proof on the looping header and bomber was stranded [Applause] [Music] in that memorable first season that I Brooks Rangers completed to travel the Cooper metal collection was underway in some style and he was getting to relish the big stage [Applause] [Applause] defense living dangerously mr. cutter [Applause] today looking at his watch now about 50,000 people looking at the referee game still goes on [Applause] [Music] to be sure no creatures [Applause] some funny stories as well talking to Tom Forsythe here they called the first year they played I Brooks as a dangerous player and I think the game is coming up to half team and Tom who wasn't really known for his passing blocker defense and he hid in Tom's wants this great pass into space for Cooper to run on T and I don't think you managed to catch it and just coupla minutes the other that every blue for a half team and as they were coming off they're coming off the pitch a Tom looked over a coupe and Kip said hey beg mine Timofey and pointed his feet I mean the only thing that came anywhere near the coarseness to feel all the love of football they had then his heart was a horse season five probably sometimes I think you like the the bikies shot and the punting of it but more than football but and the boys in the dressing room at the time used to see the new exact way coupe was going to make a good game because of the favor at the 230 had come up trumps and Kipp was in the mid than if he had lost his door and it wasn't interested I'm sure it stuck with actually it got a horse to get a cold it made it boy that leave a great one for him Cooper Johnston the first of three Scottish Cup winners medals came against Aberdeen in 1978 [Applause] no pop Koopa twisted away [Applause] somebody going in with Russell [Applause] we just know job done the plan with his left foot [Applause] saladin [Applause] nabob Scotland my step [Applause] too late for Abedini five minutes from the end it is again [Applause] the Klein [Applause] but Cooper [Applause] Joey Dunston before playing it in [Applause] [Music] [Applause] baby 20 minutes gone to Nilda ages let's be kicked punched away by Stu turns for panin just thought up look at the wall dogs [Applause] returns for bet Russell followed by jet would miss Michael pal the month by nanny it's a coupon baby [Applause] badly near the chance for McDonald's that surely played it up for Rangers second [Applause] Thorson the Rangers captain lying the red white and blue ribbons run the Scottish Cup and just wait for the cheer when he holds that aloft [Applause] odv was our I mean up I've played to watch the game and played the game for probably 40 years you know and I was at the club for 18 years and there's two people standing in your memory for their ability hey one of them was a Jim Baxter and the other one was Davey Cooper and both of them had they seemed sort of had a wonderful education my food you know and I could do anything without life and there were very similar tapes and you know because a Jim Baxter was neither a flying machine he wasn't a quickest the night was coop but he had such good the ability such good vision and as he sees crushed nobility really his life it was absolutely fantastic absolutely brilliant probably one of the best Scottish football player I've ever seen I mean if he would have gone abroad it would be an even better because he came without certain him better abroad even though he was creating Scottish football but to me when an exceptional left foot all the players knew you can do anything with his right but still they let him go on his left to me he's after fantastic football the League Cup victory over Celtic the same year was the first of seven winners medals it was Davey's favorite competition he scored four goals and finals but he made many many more [Applause] it's worth going a downside but really [Applause] [Music] looking up into the Sun for that one [Applause] Plus cane Sneddon design side as a good move [Applause] his tent full of [Applause] tremendous equalizing [Applause] Jackson Kennedy came up his mind three minutes remaining Smith the Johnston [Applause] because his boss is what's called the bar spinning this Smith schools [Applause] the season [Applause] to the lead [Applause] very quickly [Music] [Applause] Smith the ball into the net on the piece of melting paddy unclear [Applause] [Applause] Cooper waiting attend left that red font [Applause] surely Wednesday couple Rangers [Applause] [Music] [Music] shun planting the cold weather the odds or baseline piccoli with maybe Cooper rush was thinking of good position [Applause] the Ranger voice begins boner [Applause] quickly stop the weave boys [Applause] fifteen seconds [Applause] with passion Poland is my bond making ones up front it has gone to the left ones committing their into defense still bone is going all the way and although free-kick bombs over the ball the float is waiting playing the clueless it be spring Celtic back into the game and they finished the first half and the same freshman's rain just finished [Music] yes [Music] McCoy's has been penalized sorting things out mark Reid will take the kick who scored four in a for the season so far [Applause] it's Dominical filthy yes [Applause] boys fishing pond [Applause] Rangers [Music] [Applause] [Music] going through after sandy Clark they were nothing one of my earliest memories are putting instanly final probably 86 and he was outstanding I mean people sit and the game you need to feet but David just need these life it was a almost like a one that teams obviously foreign memories of them as plane taught respect for me when I was a lot say that they say talk respect for not play like him who could and do some magical things about wafer first at one stage during John Greg's reign as manager prove it looked set for a move to Brighton with Gordon Smith but he stayed at high ropes and a ton to favor when John Wallace resumed a managerial hot seat in 1983 they jock warned a now wave of genius to lose half a stone in three weeks Davey did it and five days he was determined to revive his Rangers Korea [Applause] now I had the pleasure they trained me with David I think it was like seven years and any time I mastered in they asked me who is your favorite player who's the best player you played but there's no no question about that it's always going to be diva Cooper they say you only had one foot whoever was he was unbelievable and Trina he gave the bow a cube we couldn't get off away from Jordan will get bike for buns Cooper typical Scottish wanna Tana ball player and very skillful with the ball is deadly and terms across the ball as well and really that's you remember David Cooper taking on people in Delavan bows and in a box once again teasing Milbury [Music] girlfriend I'm a great player yeah Joey can I joke with me every known again they he made me up Claire and I don't think it was so far from the truth [Applause] sadly taken [Applause] baby Cooper bring on Sean cat crosses dear let's go taking this [Applause] Davy Cooper's Club forum and m24 caps and he played a key role in booking Scotland's place in the 1986 World Cup finals hold constant [Applause] money to fight the lead [Applause] there was Nikola Nepali [Applause] [Music] Gracie [Applause] it is hitter we're running by bets game formula [Music] [Applause] come on Shawn to organize the free kick they can stand on the line [Music] you'll see latest coffee shut up well he was all they've seen Layton and that fits way I wish making the angle for the shot [Applause] [Music] [Applause] good long Phil Coke was my nickel too [Applause] Nicholas [Applause] finishing [Applause] first they buy some golf this team nickel [Music] [Applause] this game shop [Applause] the most romantic circumstances no vital moment on the game at home we'll see again this clear case of handball from Graham sharp on my Speedy's and a Phillips and the penalty cake twirl the untrusted today the season and this could be the penalty kick with ten minutes to go [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] I think he's definitely the dullest a game apart please go from the fairly spot has definitely created the giant only chances at squirrel and the whole human villain created to see have come from the Koopa but tragically jocks teen collapsed and died minutes before the final result in Cardiff his final match changing decision had been to send on Davey Cooper as a substitute to Scottish players were as devastated as any member of the Tartan Army [Applause] diva's personal tribute to a manager he greatly admired was the playoff goal that sent the Scots on the road to Mexico and he was in the squad of course [Applause] as marked his first appearance for his country with the sort of goalies among davies world cup colleagues was Graeme Souness by the start of the new season soon as was his boss at ibooks soon the good times roll back and the rejuvenated Cooper was restored to his very best the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 in baton give Cuba knee in his stead to remember the game soon had just come from some Doria and he said the time if David Cooper went there Tillie it'd be a megastar to be one of the best person that's why and he wasn't gonna be coming in 2005 it wasn't good Holcomb and he sent them back from whence he had just come but he knew exactly how good Kip was and I could had this mentality realize he can always bleed if I left Hamilton and I remember used to hear the journey from how Monty Clydebank so coming in Glasgow was a bit easier for him they didn't even learn it drive to a better way in life and he was a home often but and that's to leave him but I tell you what I said I said girls finish and see us Adrian does it say Davies outstanding forum was acknowledged by the new Rangers boss who pinpointed him as the key to the 1987 championship success [Applause] made to pay for slightness in the few lines boys [Applause] this is what makes special away from the grain with ease and then that mule deflated go across officially gold there was McCoist them gone on at no chance at all he was quite a moody complaining sort of chap he had a lovely sense of humor I mean we nicknamed the Albert Albert that lock after character in Coronation Street many years ago I think it quite enjoyed that nickname the keeper was one of those players it was an exceptional talent and fantastic left foot antacid rep a lot of the ball and when it was placed it created chances for any of the players on the park it helped me even I was a young player coming through and he's one of those players that me me that I've run for Davey he's where other was players to get fainted by the pass a very special talent and great version my name is are in the park and there I got a fantastic ordering clear this may be hoisted by Rangers big men to challenge the keeper was taking short Cooper who surrenders big cousin [Applause] [Music] we used to have a game on it on a Friday England against Scotland and Davy was in a sky steam and the gaff was on our side because he played in England and it could never ever be us you know the English would always win and that's why I think he started moaning when I remember him because I used to wind him right up he said you know and then when I played for England against Scotland they'd be played in that game and you know and he always mount and that's what lives in me you know I look at it and I think I wish there was a characters like that now because they're sorely missed in football duty Cooper's close control also dazzle defenders across Europe and in the 1986 UEFA Cup against always temporary Dave's performance was unforgettable away from the defenders gives butcher across their flank mascota butchered flame one's enol the 52 this on the phone Cooper hi satin straight by coat if looking at his watch Cooper inside the box my foot shot coming up let's see Toronto on half-time to know that they're coming back but all going forward the cuts inside for this falling but still hasn't people could be a fantastic artist [Applause] to our call suddenly a half / displayed a superbug all as you see [Applause] and to face a lovely fight the great Chinese car heist tonight put the time the place was born Cornell to Regis [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] for Davi it was getting harder to get on the team sheet every week time was running out at Rangers I said well the last thing was there was leave I can understand your dilemma I can't guarantee you're a regular place but I can't guarantee anybody a regular place and he said I pushed the issue and we were locked in Liam go in the end I would much prefer him to have stayed at Rangers because even when we played against them after that he was an obvious threat an obvious threat after a season spent mostly on the bench he joined his former teammate Tommy McLean at Motherwell in sets of regular first-team football the fee was fifty thousand pounds cheap at the price we were teammates at Rangers but the one thing about him is you know there's quality and anything he does the each thing I don't look a lot into that the main thing as he stole a lot to offer the game and that's why we brought them here we've been 12 years our club and you feel of Yvette leaving but I've been playing reserved football for the best part of last season and I think Moe Infernus and I realized I still have something to offer and I'm delighted to be here a model they've given me that chance and I hope to repay them for bringing me deviant Motherwell really well because I was a young player coming through and obviously a legend and you're looking at to see all the little kind of points and the trickery and he was he was fantastic you know get on the ball stopping it how do we look up and then deciding what you wanted to do and you never knew what he wanted to do and that was the beauty of David Cooper David and I were quite friendly and we went over to a few lenses in Montville and he always went away you know for another you have to bet this hoard that hot dog and I was not successful like in Holland touch playing you know always want the ball have lovely skills yeah [Music] I get the ball in defense or midfield I was looking where's David give him the ball to him and he was create for playing and a lovely player and a person was wrong people never failed it was just coming here you know acnd Scalia but he came here and they performed you know fantastically we all got back in the scroll and say it helped us wanna floss major trophy for a long time and had an infant on an alloy players and the mother was celebrated the twilight of Davies career by winning the Scottish Cup in 1991 thanks probably the best scene in Mali north hot meat and I was a tribute to Don McLean to get him away from Rangers at that time I will quite regular to avoid my little functions and definitely know he used the player they want to talk about in the ice nor was I like to play with him and always a like in the dress room was in the deal everyone's here then I know he was totally upset when they came here they just lost his football and he'd done extra team as well and most people would faint probably hard to believe you know I really wouldn't play with him so not a bad finale for the players who had only one foot on saw the Joker in the pack Ally McCoist enjoyed reminding him at his testimonial dinner what sitting and resting RDF course all the lights and would you say did you have to get them on I guess you know Davey I guess this Minds get everything and Terry's strategy no no it's good this ad but then we thought for weeks let my friend that the one thing that Billy doesn't have and I think I'm glad to hear from and I don't know what we could handle the champions I think you want to show off you well boys one has a ranger meat leg kupah good thing about about did he was that he was a natural crossover the ball and it's a striker you know you can really appreciate that he used to be send such fantastic balls I didn't have to to completely beat the the fullback he could just twist the ball around them and that is for me a telltale sign that you are a great winger when you don't really have to be lightning way quick he had the ability to people what balls around defenders and he had division to know as well exactly what height I think my striker would like the ball out he was thinking all the time about those kind of things but but also that you just never knew what you were gonna get at times from from Davey is gonna come inside you know it was it was talked a lot about them you had no no right fruit but you know when you when you have such tricular you don't really need one David Cooper was no planning to play out his final professional days at clay bank I feel very proud to have played to the age that I'm just known and this deal is for players I've given up maybe 31 32 so typically 80 30 13 I feel very proud Eli but everyone must come to an end so I've decided to go to the end of the season Davey's love affair with football however wasn't quite over and he was desperate to pass on his skills but sadly while filming a court scene series for Scottish television he collapsed on March the 23rd 1995 the former international football star Davey Cooper is critically ill in hospital this evening after suffering a brain hemorrhage David Cooper remains in a critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit he's deeply unconscious and is on a ventilator to help him breathe Davey Cooper has died at the age of 39 he was declared dead at 9:45 this morning and the ventilator was switched off his fiance parents and close friends Derek Johnson and Ally McCoist were with him shortly before he died thousands of football fans have joined family and friends to say farewell to Davey Cooper there have been many good players our ages have been many great ones there are very very few of them who reached legendary status last of the David Cooper became a range of lighting it's a sad fact of life that sometimes when you meet people you hero-worship I said that's a pointing moment no idea Cuba when I joined Rangers from Sunderland 1983 Davy was the established superstar I was a youngster who started to prove himself and I couldn't have found a better influence I watched a lessened and I learned from Davy I watched these skills I'd love to have copied them but I was machine impossible his death had dropped Scotland of Oliver most naturally gifted players at the age of 39 [Music] gone but not forgotten Rangers fans have marked the 10th anniversary of Davey Cooper's death by unveiling a special banner celebrating his love for Glasgow Rangers [Music] it's in a few days Scottish days with a ball at the feet and he's up there with Johnston Jimmy Johnston and jump bikes then came the dish I mean an incredible football player with awesome ability I tried to the year obviously for himself and his whole family but also for the best football world as he is cut from the earth Patterson great clothes for Johnston and again COFF wins it then it comes to Russell [Applause] there was a special talent because he had such a gift for the ball and it's difficult to coach that auntie an individual David was born without he was born with with that craft and dividual scale yet yes he and the you know top players like Zidane who Keller sees a ball if David was playing to snow who would be my thing I think lauded and probably sought after by most European and English clubs unfortunately there's my which country you know engaged like that produced maybe once once a decade but he was a bit special in that position and I know I don't know skill wise there's not many players I can think of fathers hardly any you know Scottish players I can think of who could really sometime say yeah he was as good as DB cooper Makino Johnston Gordon Smith Cooper if you had a one yet and you want to do well you know a lot of people look at videos of maybe Willie Anderson Oh Jimmie Johnson someone like that but certainly DB Cooper's video was one worth looking at as well because it sure was he don't have to be a big lad with peace to be a winger you know he could be fine V as he was not the quickest in the world but as long as you've got up here you know to beat somebody and get a decent ball into the box then if you watch his video a lot of sure you exactly ever do it I mean I don't think Davey how they ever got boot or saying off we'd always more and he was a mourner you know but he's an example to all the kids unfortunately don't as you see have enough players that can take people or create a and that's why maybe everybody's there looking back and think we didn't really appreciate it our we had there and we were watching I think he was appreciated by the vast majority of fans but I don't think the people that they appreciated them as much even as a player's I remember speaking to various players about them and in talking about different games you know and the post-match and Association and the things that he always highlighted to me well no I goal you know I'm perhaps polka back all that I'd be McCoy's discord but he always pointed to did you see what Cooper did did you see that so did you see that and I think that tells you something about Turkey but as well as at the players his 1ps recognize them to be a different level overall Fantastic Four I think it's rude girl had said he's one of the best players I've ever seen and it's just a shame Davee kidney of maybe played in Europe because there it was more a Brazilian than a school [Applause] well I think he typify and typifies what the Scottish public like you know he can dribble with the ball you know it's a winger who can dribble with the ball and I say he's he's a player get you on then on the edge of your seat you know and just not enough of them around and I think the way he played football we could dribble awake we control the ball you know every kid wants to do that and you know want to be that type of player just one of these guys it's so many of variations in his play and switch go forward a life left very difficult opponent probably one of the most difficult that I was against the eniac defender and I think he could agree stay in any country any team in any all over the world you know so good data garden thank you speak teeny a model fine it comes we can we kill tell you what it meant to the club and what it done to the club officer then I understand after a motorist be always sure degree how much he was appreciated here among the the support doesn't a player that played with him you know it made a great deal I think he's a exactly a player you could to other a place you never had there they which Danny plays the piece they see some players having and the more than a game but he's a sort of player that doesn't matter what generation including he's of what he was a little class player a guy who I'm sure know the Kavanagh a career in television the media would be he'd everything going for me it was much loved good-looking fella and you know and you hope to speak of at the game with authority although are some things I think deal icky but they're things were ball that even he didn't know you know it was it was a blessed talent it was a god-given talent they had it's such a great loss to the game because he was a marvelous guy he's a fantastic player and the Rangers fans norm as a player and somebody they'd mount so much but for us who knew him also as a person then you have to say he's sadly missed nobody's liking he did lie up the pitch he lit up the supporters faces and there's not a lot of characters about in football now and day we could do that and in true blue bars across the country late the Loudoun Tavern in Vaes go Benny a glass will be raised to his memory [Applause] [Music] [Music] a cup final dedicated to one player is always special and that could certainly be said of the 2005 CAS League Cup final between multiple and Rangers at Hampden I was standin on his day he would race to any park even today like justice I'd lost a footballer any young ones no I don't want to get the chance to be taught of course we are money DVP poses a really just a fantastic talent well you know agent for this search now minutes one of the unique teams that Biff sets are finds a lot of it in eighty to ninety nine I mean so it means a lot for them especially guys like me used to go watch I'm playing [Music] I'm going for that really because of TV Cuba and DVA still was a legend you can see what it means to everybody not just strangers model of funds a football fans all over the world [Music] my first time Hampton was a game where he scored a free-kick against Aberdeen like I still hear the ball head back in a no-reserve something I've seen as his first game harmed in Israel so isopropyl for me he's coming and the clip of a No [Music] Davy Cooper was the embodiment of Scottish football at its finest full of flair and imagination excitement and emotion when we see his like again

Channel: Rangers Football Club (Official)

Views: 227,755

Rating: 4.7967744 out of 5

Keywords: Rangers, Rangers FC, Rangers Football Club, RangersTV

Id: 1xFM61KQH0k

Length: 56min 7sec (3367 seconds)

Published: Mon Mar 23 2020