In the latest of our series of features in the build up to the historic first international match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, between Scotland and Ivory Coast, we take a look at Everton's Scottish links
Andy Gray (left) celebrates with Graeme Sharp (right) during Everton's 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup final win
Andy Gray (left) celebrates with Graeme Sharp (right) during Everton's 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup final win
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Andy Gray and Graeme Sharp wasn't supposed to work. 'Too similar.' 'They'll take up the same positions.' 'It will be route one,' was the prevailing wisdom.
Except it did. Spectacularly.
The electrifying form of Adrian Heath and Graeme Sharp in the first half of the most successful season in Everton's history, 1984/85 - meant that Andy Gray was usually on the outside looking in. Sharp and Heath scored 26 goals in 26 games between them from August to December.
Gray scored a winner on his only start at Newcastle United in September - then had to talk Sharp out of handing in a transfer request because he had been the player to make way!
But as well as scoring, Gray cracked a bone in his foot and was sidelined for six weeks.
That meant he was fully fit and chomping at the bit when Heath suffered a season-ending injury against Sheffield Wednesday in December, a blow which looked like derailing Everton's treble push.
Instead, the new partnership galvanised that charge.
From December 1 to May 11, Gray was the spearhead of an Everton team which lost just one league game, while the new double act plundered 29 goals from the next 33 matches.
They provided boldness, brawn and brilliance in an irresistible combination, so much so that Scotland decided to use the 'bruise brothers' in a World Cup qualifier in Iceland.
In an unusual quirk it was Sharp's Scotland debut - and Gray's last appearance for his country.
Sharp was selected for the first of his 12 caps just 48 hours after he had started the 55th match of a record-breaking club season at Coventry City.
Gray's last Everton appearance had been five days earlier, in a Goodison derby which Everton won to record their third victory over their fiercest rivals that season.
There was no fairy-tale international finish to the season.
Scotland won 1-0, but the only goal came from Jim Bett in the 86th minute. But the close friends and clubmates at least got to share the spotlight for their country on one occasion.
Gray had started his international journey a decade earlier in 1975, and finished with seven goals and 20 caps.
Sharp's only Scotland goal came in Malta in 1988 on his 12th and final Scotland appearance.
But in Iceland Gray and Sharp got to step out in dark blue together as well as royal blue for one night only.
Scotland face Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match. It will be the first senior men’s international fixture to be staged at Everton’s new waterfront home, and the first time the club has hosted the Scots since 1911.
Tickets are now available for this latest fixture on general sale online via the Everton website, by phone on 0151 556 1878, or in person at Hill Dickinson Stadium’s Box Office during opening hours, with prices starting from £27 for Adults and £16 for Under-16s.