SCOTTISH FOOTBALL legend Archie Gemmill opened Ottakar’s bookstore, the first retail outlet in the £20 million refurbishment of the former Arnott’s department store, in Dundee city centre on Saturday.

Gemmill, who will forever by remembered for his stunning individual goal against Holland in the 1978 World Cup, cut the ribbon in front of over 300 people.

Spanish fashion chain Zara, Slater Menswear, the Original Shoe Co and Republic are also due to move into the complex.

Ottakar’s manager Gordon Dow said, “It was great that Archie Gemmill was able to open the new store. We were looking for a big name to launch our biggest store in Scotland.”

The former Scotland midfielder, who won the league championship with Derby County and Nottingham Forest under the late Brian Clough, signed copies of his autobiography Both Sides Of The Border for more than 100 people in the store.

The cover of his book shows Gemmill in the middle of his blistering run past the Holland defence at the 1978 World Cup, which has been voted among the tournament’s best-ever goals.

Gemmill said, “It’s terrific that the goal has brought so much pleasure to so many people since it happened 27 years ago.”

Assessing a career that saw him win the league championship three times and the European Cup, Gemmill modestly claims he was “lucky.”

“I was lucky to play with some good players and under some good managers, the best of which, of course was Brian Clough. I was about to sign for Everton, and had almost agreed all the terms, when Clough decided he wanted to sign me for Derby.

“He drove to my home and would not take no for an answer—staying the night to persuade me to sign for him.”

Gemmill is still involved in football, recently scouting for Derby County and currently scouting English players for Walter Smith’s national team—and he predicts a bright future for the Scotland side.