He scored on his debut against Yugoslavia, and also in his last match, a 2–1 defeat by France in the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
The latter goal was the first time a Rangers player scored in a World Cup Finals match.
In 1953 against the British Army, Baird converted a penalty for Scotland XI in 2–2 draw at Goodison Park.
[9] As preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Baird played for a Scotland XI in a couple of trial matches in 1958.
[11] The results of the two-match tour were 3–1 against a Japanese All Stars XI and 4–2 against the Japan national team.