One account says it was Parker’s 15th and final appearance for Scotland, just two weeks after he agreed a move to Goodison Park. At only 22, despite the reputation he had built in British football and praise from Alex Young, he was never recalled.
Scotland’s wider failure was already visible. The country had missed earlier World Cups amid disputes and poor decisions, then took only 13 players to the 1954 tournament despite being allowed 22. A report says the Scottish Football Association later described that preparation as “atroz” - atrocious - a word that captures the dysfunction surrounding Parker’s final campaign.
For 1958, the disruption continued. Matt Busby was still recovering from Munich, leaving Dawson Walker in charge. Scotland drew 1-1 with Yugoslavia, then sent Tommy Docherty and Archie Robertson to assess Paraguay.
Their description was clear: tough, fit and good. The account says Walker ignored the warning, selected Parker and left out more combative options. Paraguay won 3-2, while France later ended Scotland’s campaign with a 2-1 victory. Parker’s international story was over.
The transfer reportedly completed on 27 May 1958 for £17,500, with Eddie O’Hara also moving to Everton. Parker then had to complete military service in Cyprus, delaying his debut until 8 November, when Everton beat Aston Villa 4-2.
Under Harry Catterick, he became central to Everton’s title-winning 1962-63 side. The account credits him with 220 appearances and five goals, while Gordon Watson later called him the best right-back in Everton history.
Parker’s Scotland career ended in chaos, but Everton gave him the stage to build a lasting legacy. The next question for historians is whether his international absence should be remembered less as a decline in ability and more as a failure of football’s old borders and preparation.