Rangers legend recalls infamous debut as blame lies at Walter Smith's door

After picking up a yellow card for a foul on Billy Kirkwood earlier in the match, an overzealous Souness was sent packing in the 34th minute for a reckless challenge on George McCluskey that left a nasty gash on the Hibs striker’s leg.

A melee broke out on the Easter Road pitch, setting a chaotic tone for Souness’ fiery tenure in Scottish football before Hibs ultimately prevailed 2-1 in a bad-tempered clash in Leith.

One of Souness’ former Ibrox team mates, Terry Butcher, who also played in the game, previously insisted that he had to act as his “minder” after Souness decided on venturing out in the Edinburgh after the game.

It’s a moment that still rankles in Souness’ mind exactly 40 years on, even if he does continue to hold Walter Smith partly accountable for the way events unfolded.

Recalling the incident, he admitted: “I wish I could go through it all again but with a different outcome - like trying to stay on the pitch a little bit longer. But there was only one person to blame for that and that was me. Guilty!

“Actually, I also blame Walter. It was all Walter’s fault! As I’m going out, he said to me, ‘I meant to tell you, they’ve got a guy called Billy Kirkwood and if he gets the chance he’ll leave a foot in!’.

“I was walking out, following the others and looking over my shoulder. I shouted, ‘What number is he?’. But he couldn’t tell me. When I went out there were ten Kirkys out there. I knew it wasn’t Alan Rough! So I was on my toes.

“I only ever got sent off once in England at senior level playing for Middlesbrough so I wasn’t a serial red card offender. I should have got more than one but that’s another story! But I can look back and I’ve had the most wonderful life. Better than great. I’ve been blessed.”