Scotland's Dalglish handed UEFA award

Kenny Dalglish received his award for having earned over 100 caps for Scotland on Tuesday night, ahead of his country's 1-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Glasgow, joining a host of past and present internationals who received commemorative caps and medals from UEFA having amassed a century or more of national team appearances.

Now 61, the forward matched Denis Law's national best of 30 goals in making a record 102 appearances for Scotland between 1971 and 1986 – representing his country at the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups.

Dalglish became the first, and so far only, Scotland player to reach 100 caps against Romania at Hampden Park on 26 March 1986. After the 3-0 win he was presented with a special trophy by German football legend Franz Beckenbauer.

"What do I remember [about the Romania game]? I remember that I never scored," Dalglish said. "I remember we won 3-0 and not only did I not score, I don’t even think I got close. Franz Beckenbauer came up to present me with a commemorative trophy and despite his huge standing in world football he was a real gent; a guy totally unaffected by his status and what he had achieved in the game.

"The trophy is in the Hampden Museum. It is a thing of beauty. Everybody can see it there. I am proud to have my achievement recognised by UEFA with their commemorative cap, along with every other international centenarian. It is a really humbling experience: all I ever wanted to do was play football from when I started out as a wee boy playing in the street and watching my heroes."

Dalglish won four national titles as a player with Celtic FC, and six in England with Liverpool FC, as well as the 1977/78, 1980/81 and 1983/84 European Champion Clubs' Cups. He then lifted four further English titles as a manager – three at Liverpool and a final one at Blackburn Rovers FC in 1994/95. He came out of retirement to manage the Anfield club again from 2011 to 2012.

Scottish Football Association (SFA) president Campbell Ogilvie presented Dalglish with his commemorative cap and medal.