From the hallowed turf of Easter Road to the iconic Anfield pitch, Peter Cormack’s professional footballing career was one of relentless ambition, technical brilliance, and an unyielding love for the game.

PART ONE

Born in Edinburgh in 1946, Peter Cormack began at the Tynecastle Boys Club, a breeding ground for young talent in Scotland. His potential was evident from an early age, and he was signed by Heart of Midlothian directly from school, becoming the first ground staff boy at Tynecastle Park since the legendary Tommy Walker in the 1930s. However, his time at Hearts was short-lived, marred by an incident involving a grass-cutting machine that damaged a perimeter wall—a bizarre twist of fate that would alter the course of his career. Consequently, he found himself crossing the city to join Hibernian in 1962, a move that would prove pivotal.

At Hibernian, Cormack quickly rose through the ranks, making his first-team debut in November 1962 against Airdrieonians and scoring on his debut—a sign of things to come. His breakthrough season came in 1964-65 under the stewardship of Jock Stein, a manager whose influence would shape Cormack’s career. Stein’s brief but transformative tenure at Easter Road saw the club challenge for both the League and Cup, with Cormack playing a starring role. Notably, he grabbed himself a brace in a convincing 4-2 victory against Rangers at Ibrox, a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Scotland’s brightest young talents.

Cormack’s time at Hibs was also marked by memorable European nights. In November 1967, he played a pivotal role in the Edinburgh club´s’ remarkable 6-4 aggregate victory over S.S.C. Napoli, a team featuring the legendary Dino Zoff. After losing the first leg 4-1 at Stadio San Paolo in Napoli, Hibs staged a stunning comeback at Easter Road, defeating The Blues by a 5-0 score with Cormack bagging the third goal. This victory, against the Serie A leaders, remains one of the most iconic results in the history of Hibernian. Despite such highs, European success remained elusive, as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Don Revie’s Leeds United.

In March 1970, Cormack signed for Division One side Nottingham Forest, then managed by Matt Gillies. Forest started the season strongly, with Cormack playing a key role in their early unbeaten run. However, the team’s form faltered, and they finished a disappointing 16th in the standings. Despite this, Cormack’s individual performances were impressive, as he hit 15 goals in 74 League outings over two seasons.

Forest’s relegation in 1971-72 marked the end of Cormack’s time at the City Ground, but it also set the stage for his move to Liverpool—a transfer that would define his career. Bill Shankly, Liverpool’s legendary manager, saw Cormack as the final piece in the jigsaw for his team, and the midfielder did not disappoint.

PART TWO

Cormack’s arrival at Anfield in the summer of 1972 heralded the beginning of a golden era for Liverpool. His debut came in a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Derby County at Baseball Ground, but he quickly found his feet, scoring his first goal for the club in a 4-2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield. Cormack’s ability to dictate play, coupled with his eye for goal, made him an integral part of Shankly’s midfield.

The 1972-73 campaign was a landmark one for Liverpool, as they clinched the First Division title and the UEFA Cup. Cormack played a crucial role in both triumphs, scoring key goals and delivering consistent performances. His header in a 1-0 victory over Everton was a highlight, as was his goal in a 2-0 win against Leeds that helped secure the title. In the UEFA Cup, he scored in the second round against AEK Athens and played both legs of the final against Borussia Mönchengladbach, contributing to Liverpool’s 3-2 aggregate victory.

The following season, Cormack added an FA Cup winner’s medal to his collection, as Liverpool outclassed Joe Harvey´s Newcastle United side by a 3-0 margin at Wembley. He played in all eight games of the cup run and featured in every league match, underscoring his importance to the team. Despite finishing second in the First Division, Liverpool’s dominance was undeniable, and Cormack was at the heart of it all.

Peter Cormack´s time at Liverpool was not without its challenges. A knee injury in December 1975 sidelined him for the remainder of the season, and he never regained his place in the first team. Nevertheless, his contributions during his four years at Liverpool were immense, as he helped the Merseysiders win two League titles, one FA Cup, and two UEFA Cups. After leaving Anfield in 1976, Cormack enjoyed spells at Bristol City, where he won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1977-78, and a brief return to former side Hibernian. He also represented Scotland at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany, although he did not feature in any matches.

His transition into management was marked by mixed fortunes. He managed Partick Thistle, Cowdenbeath, and Greenock Morton, among others, but struggled to replicate his success as a player. Despite this, his passion for the game never waned, and he remained a well-respected figure in Scottish football.