He stands there triumphant, brazen, magnificent, with his right arm raised high as he characterizes it, on the gable end of Provost Skene's house in the city center of his beloved Aberdeen.
Belligerence in bronze, inviting everyone to be inspired by their own journey from impoverishment to immortality while pointing the index finger, more appropriately, to the sky.
In less famous areas of the city (in Garthdee, Northfield, Torry, Tillydrone and Kincorth, to name just a few), young people of all ages gather under his image and the banners that bear his name to take their own steps towards a future better. Know that it is also okay and natural to look up at the stars.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust runs all types of free-to-access programs in the Granite City, from weekly meetings promoting sporting and creative activities to an academy based on personal and professional development and a project aimed at supporting families of prisoners at HMP. and YOI Grampian.
In the words of the charity, which is run by Denis's eldest son Gary, its aim is to offer positive destinations to those from disadvantaged communities.
And in Lawman, who passed away on Friday at the age of 84, there couldn't be a better example to follow in terms of aiming high, taking risks and trusting yourself no matter what obstacles get in the way and what limitations your background may have. . try to impose yourself.
Law represented Scotland at the 1974 World Cup and is the country's leading goalscorer.
Law celebrates scoring in a 2-2 draw with England in 1965, and was always proud to play for his country.
However, it is not just those children running through open fields in the northeast who should see Law, whose spirit lives through them, as the embodiment of everything they wish to be. That extends to an entire nation.
The law was, is surely everything we Scots like to think we are. The humble underdog who can be king. A man of the people. He is no respecter of reputations. Brave as a lion. Naturally aggressive. Witty. Indomitable. Unstoppable. An innovator, capable of anything when harnessed in the right way.
And despite everything, the Ballon d'Or in 1964 or his contribution to Manchester United's victory in the 1968 European Cup, let's make no mistake. Nothing meant more to him than wearing dark blue.
Sir Alex Ferguson was invited up north in November 2021, shortly after his idol revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia, to unveil that bronze statue of Law which stands just off the Marischal Square area of Aberdeen, with the fingers gripping the fist of his raised arm as he walks away after scoring against England at Wembley in 1967, the personal highlight of his stellar career.
His words that day summed up the man as well as anyone could.
“I think the statue definitely captures it. The only thing is I don't see him wiping his nose on his sleeve,” Ferguson joked.
“I think Denis personifies a Scotsman. He showed fantastic courage as a 15-year-old by going to Huddersfield. Not many have the courage to do that kind of thing.
'He also personified the Scotsman in the sense that he would start a fight in an empty house. The six-foot-three-inch centre-backs didn't bother him.
“In my opinion, and in the opinion of many people, he was the best Scottish player of all time, without a doubt.”
The story of Law's rise from poor beginnings, born in 1940 as the youngest of seven children to fishing father George and mother Robina at 6 Printfield Terrace, has formed the basis of this weekend's rich accolades. Soon, in addition to a mural in the city, there will be a Heritage Route that portrays his formative years.
Law didn't have proper shoes until he was a teenager. He wore glasses and played soccer with one eye closed to nullify the effects of squinting.
Denis Law statue takes pride of place in the heart of Aberdeen
Law with other Manchester United legends Bobby Charlton and George Best
Discovered by the brother of Huddersfield manager Andy Beattie, a fellow Aberdonian, he underwent an operation to correct the problem, passed down through generations, after leaving home to sign for the Terriers.
Less discussed, however, is the role that the great Bill Shankly, who was no stranger to hunger as a child, played in his development there. Shankly was on the coaching staff (he would later take over as coach) and took care of the boy he described as “a skinny little greyhound.”
“There was a cafe not far from the ground and I needed to feed myself,” Law recalled. 'I would pay for coffee to feed myself. In reality, he was like a father.
The luxury of even being able to eat breakfast regularly was one of the first things that struck Law about this new life of opportunity.
“We were on a dig,” he said. “It was great because for the first time, really, I was able to eat something: a little bit of bacon and egg in the morning, and it was absolutely delicious.”
Shankly wanted to take Law, then 18, to Liverpool when he left at the end of 1959. However, the Anfield club could not afford the transfer and he left for Manchester City for a British record fee of £55,000.
“When he left, it was just the end of the world,” Law confessed.
However, Law was already exhibiting all the skills that would make him a true superstar. He was much more than a simple scorer.
In fact, his favorite position was inside forward. He covered ground, he battled with the center backs. He also had the ability (five foot nine and a bit or not) to hang in the air to head.
“It's debatable whether anyone was better than him,” Shankly said later in life. 'Maybe (Tommy) Lawton could reach higher because he was a bigger man. The rest of the sneaky tricks and tricks that would cause trouble, Law knew. He met them when he was a child.
Law also blazed a trail by moving abroad when it was unfashionable, going to Turin for a year in 1961. It was there that he showed some of the imperfections we Scots also have.
At the end of an infamous night, teammate Joe Baker crashed into the curb and overturned the car carrying Law and his brother Joseph home. It marked the end of the Baker era. Law would leave the following summer, standing his ground and refusing to move to Juventus.
“I enjoyed everything about Italy,” Law said. “I was single at the time. There were nice ladies and good food. I liked the wine and the beer was good. The only thing I didn't like was football.”
A Scotland shirt was displayed outside Old Trafford on Saturday, showing what Law meant to both the Scots and Manchester.
Law was also a proud family man, being married to his wife Diana (right) for more than 60 years and they had five children together.
Sir Matt Busby rescued him from catenaccio hell to take him to Old Trafford and the rest is history. His enjoyment of a pint while being one of the best players in the world only adds to his legend along with his record 30 goals for Scotland and 237 in 404 appearances for United before finishing his career in Manchester at City.
Law went on to work as a carpet salesman before forging a career in broadcasting, displaying a natural charm that coexisted perfectly with his reputation as a private individual, devoted to his wife Diana and their five children.
As Legacy Trust COO Mark Williams admitted when we spoke yesterday, his organization has a lot to work with in terms of inspiring others. And there is a lot of work to do.
“We want to make sure we make a real contribution to Denis' legacy in the city and make sure that what he stood for remains,” he said.
'He was a proud Aberdonian and is a great example to everyone of what can be achieved despite any barriers that may exist. “The challenges for young people now are different, but he is an incredible role model.”
Law is someone to admire, all right. And that image standing tall in his hometown exists as a representation of how anyone, no matter their start in life, can thrive, excel, and become their own special kind of royalty—a message as relevant to these times as those in which A little boy with glasses, from humble origins in times of war, promised himself that nothing and no one would stop him.
Rising star Igamane may be much better than Morelos
Hamza Igamane doesn't need to pay attention to comparisons this week with former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos. It can be much better than that.
Igamane, although he is 22 years old, is only a few months into his first season in professional football and moved to Scotland from Morocco and already carries the Ibrox club on his shoulders.
Just like someone on social media pointed out this week, little Amad Diallo at Manchester United, who Rangers will face on Thursday, of course, in Europa League matters.
Ianis Hagi was asked to align Igamane's talents with Morelos during the week. There is no doubt that they both enjoy the physical aspect of the game, a trait necessary for success in the SPFL Premiership.
Hagi also described them both as natural goal scorers. However, in these eyes, Igamane has the potential to be much more clinical than the errant Colombian and progress further in the game.
Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane has been the star of Ibrox this season
Igamane has more potential than former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos
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Morelos did score goals for HJK Helsinki and Rangers. Many of them. However, he never came across as a terribly clean striker and the less said about his general attitude at times, the better.
Igamane, with 13 goals this season and 12 in his last 14 appearances, is truly showing the cold, ruthless gaze of the killer. Off the field, he seems to have a good head as well.
Cyriel Dessers' quotes this week certainly give the clear impression that he feels he has run out of tea thanks to Igamane's promotion. And not before time.
It remains to be seen where Igamane can go. There is no doubt, however, that Rangers have found a hugely exciting talent in him from an unlikely source.
Maybe it's natural to draw parallels with Morelos, but that's a pretty low bar to aim for. This is a guy who did well to put himself in the showcase of the little-regarded leagues of Finland and Scotland and then squandered it, falling off the map to a poor Santos in Brazil and being loaned out to Atlético Nacional. where it started in Colombia.
Igamane seems like the type to grab the thistle in a more resolute manner. And what better place to showcase his skills to a wider audience than on the Old Trafford stand in a few days' time.
Do something there and he could be the guy to get the Rangers' infamous “player trade model” up and running after all this time.