Why the late Hollywood star Robert Duvall has a special place in the hearts of Scots

The making of the film, A Shot at Glory, sounds like it would make a decent film itself. It’s not often that Hollywood stars like Robert Duvall turn up at lower league Scottish football clubs with a burning passion to tell a story about an unexpected cup run.

Duvall, who has died at the age of 95, was world famous thanks to roles in Apocalypse Now and The Godfather. However, according to co-star Ally McCoist, he was no pampered star and “just became one of the boys”.

McCoist made a big impression on Duvall, who said he was “a natural in front of the camera”. The actor also said: “We had a great time on that movie and I reckon it is about the most fun I had making a movie in my career – and I've certainly made a few.”

The reviews were mixed. The Scotsman gave it three stars, the Austen Chronicle four, while Variety said it was a “manufactured slice of twaddle”.

The film’s enduring cult status suggests it got something right and many Scots will mourn the passing of the man who made it happen.