An era in which we believed in magic

This was more a nod to his insouciance rather than his appetite for facing adversary. Harkness started his journalist career at 29, but his twisted pinkie was just one reminder of his previous career, tending goal in an era when the trusty custodian was expected to dive at flailing feet and be buffeted by charging players when catching the ball. Any aches from his footballing life, however, had the substantial consolation that Harkness was destined not only to chronicle sporting greatness in his writing career but to have been a part of it before unscrewing the top from his pen.

On March 31, 1928, Harkness, a 21-year-old amateur goalkeeper at Queen's Park, became a Wembley Wizard. He dived at the feet of Dixie Dean, he parried shots from the likes of Joe Bradford and Billy Smith. He conceded one goal. His team-mates scored five. England were gubbed.

It was a victory that has entered into sporting legend, but even the most cursory examination of it in another century reveals the oddities and controversies that have continued to course through the Caledonian game ever since.

The first of these must simply be addressed as Scottish angst. The team that was picked to face the English was greeted by the sort of pessimism that has become a national trait, certainly in football terms. The Daily Record described it as "not a great team". The Bulletin, now gone to the reading room in the sky, opined: "We're on our knees and we know it. We have no native players who can be expected to  hold their own with England's Association team at Wembley."

This doleful summation was the result of Scotland having been beaten 1-0 by Northern Ireland at Hampden, drawn 2-2 with Wales at Wrexham and, subsequently, deciding to opt for Anglos, that is Scots playing in England. Harkness, Jimmy Dunn (Hibernian, inside-right) and Alan Morton (Rangers, outside-left) were the only players selected who plied their trade north of the border.

The inclusion of three players from the SPFL in a Scotland side in 2013 would be seen as routine, perhaps even a cause for celebration. Scottish fans would surely welcome eight players from the top division in England. But not back in 1928. The selection was seen as a gamble that invited a heavy loss.

The second enduring element was the sheer inconsistency in selection. Tom 'Tiny' Bradshaw, a physical and imposing centre-half who played for Bury, was picked to combat Dean, a centre-forward of power and pace. Dean was nullified, England were routed, Bradshaw was magnificent and - perhaps we shouldn't be surprised - never played for Scotland again.

Other selections were more explicable, if still controversial. It seems astonishing now, but the inclusion of Hughie Gallacher, of Newcastle United, was viewed as an unnecessary risk. This seems absurd until one realises that his rival for the position of centre-forward was Celtic's Jimmy McGrory, who has credible claims to being the greatest No.9 at Parkhead of all time.

Gallacher, too, was part of a forward line who could have auditioned for parts as Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz had the film not been 11 years in the distance. Alex Jackson, at 5ft 7in, was the tallest of Scotland's front five. The outside-right, though, was complemented by players of extraordinary technique, even genius.

Dunn, who went on to play for Everton, was bright on the ball and energetic off it. Gallacher was brilliant at unsettling big defenders by dropping into the space in front of them and turning and running at them with threat. He was an assured finisher and routinely brave. Alex James, the acme of the intelligent player, was instrumental in Arsenal's sustained dominance in the English game. Morton was simply one of the best Scottish wingers of all time.

The most intriguing facets, though, were the pre-match hopes of the Scottish players. The pep-talk was conducted by Jimmy McMullan, of Manchester City, the Scotland captain. "The [SFA] president wants us to discuss football," he said, "but we all know what is expected of you tomorrow. All I have to say is go to your bed, put your head on your pillow and pray for rain."

This is the most aching of recollections. Scotland wanted the pitch to be wet and slick so that the technically gifted players could prosper against those who were more physical. Scotland wanted to pass and move at pace, confound England with technique and movement. And they did.

Not only did the Wizards score five, they had at least two valid penalty claims turned down by the referee, Willie Bell, of Hamilton, who was perhaps overly keen to be seen as unbiased.

The Glasgow Herald reported: "The success was primarily another demonstration that Scottish skill, science and trickery will prevail."

This genuine belief has evaporated, as skill and science only subsequently blossomed on intermittent occasions at Wembley.

The Wembley Wizards, though, endure as the most brilliant example of what it was to play the Scottish game, what it was to rely on pace and guile, what it was to have wee men with big talent who also had the belief to take on and confound the best in their own back yard.

England 1 Scotland 5

England scorer: Bob Kelly 89

Scotland scorers: Alex Jackson 3, 65, 85, Alex James 44, 74

England 1 Ted Hufton (West Ham United), 2 Roy Goodall (Huddersfield Town, captain), 3 Herbert Jones (Blackburn Rovers), 4 Willis Edwards (Leeds United), 5 Thomas Wilson (Huddersfield Town), 6 Henry Healless (Blackburn Rovers), 7 Joe Hulme (Arsenal), 8 Bob Kelly (Huddersfield Town), 9 Dixie Dean (Everton), 10 Joe Bradford (Birmingham City), 11 Billy Smith (Huddersfield Town)

Scotland 1 Jack Harkness (Queen's Park), 2 James Nelson (Cardiff City), 3 Tommy Law (Chelsea), 4 Jimmy Gibson (Aston Villa), 5 Tom Bradshaw (Bury Town), 6 Jimmy McMullan (Manchester City, captain), 7 Alex Jackson (Huddersfield Town), 8 James Dunn (Hibernian), 9 Hughie Gallacher (Newcastle United), 10 Alex James (Preston North End), 11 Alan Morton (Rangers)

Referee Willie Bell (Hamilton)