FORMER Chelsea star David Speedie has revealed how he wanted to get back at Sir Alex Ferguson after his snub over the 1986 World Cup.
The Scot has released a tell-all autobiography about his playing days.
And he still has a few grudges to bear, mainly with his former managers Graeme Souness and Ferguson.
Speedie made more appearances for Chelsea than any other club, scoring 64 goals in 205 matches for the Blues.
His form at Stamford Bridge earned him his first Scotland call-up under Jock Stein, who died of a heart attack on the touchline against Wales – a match Speedie featured in.
Ferguson took over as Scotland boss and months later left Speedie out of the World Cup squad, despite the forward scoring 22 goals in 49 games for Chelsea that season.
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Reflecting on the snub, Speedie told The Times: “I would run through a brick wall for my country. I wasn’t totally surprised, because of Ferguson.
“Was it Paul Sturrock who went instead of me? He couldn’t lace my boots. And if he was sat here I’d tell him that.
“The most annoying thing was that I couldn’t go on holiday because the Scottish FA kept my passport.
“I didn’t get that back until they came back from the World Cup. All summer I was stuck in London.”
Speedie never forgave Fergie and was desperate to get back at him, and tried to do so in a match at Old Trafford when Ferguson was Manchester United manager.
By that point Speedie had joined Liverpool to link up with another Scottish manager, Kenny Dalglish.
He made his debut in the match and scored, but he was not able to achieve the exact revenge he was looking for.
Speedie said: “I was looking for him. I think Ferguson must have hid in that dugout. I couldn’t see him.
“I spun round and went back and I couldn’t see him anywhere otherwise I’d have given him that [he gives an up yours gesture].
“The opposing crowd were singing ‘David Speedie is a w*****’.”
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