The Scotsman has listed the top 50 Scotland players of the past 50 years – and unsurprisingly, there is a heavy Celtic and Rangers connection.
In total, 19 players players who have pulled on either colour of the Old Firm made the list. But which ones made the grade and do you think any of them did not merit inclusion? And did we miss any of the out?
Take a look through this list to see which Celtic and Rangers heroes are up there in the pantheon of Scotland greats, and then take a look here to see where they rank in the ultimate top 50 list.
We have also asked former Scotland internationalist Pat Nevin to compile his greatest XI from The Scotsman’s 50-strong longlist, with the first part of a special Football Show in the player above.
5. Mo Johnston
Among the most controversial strikers of his era, but also one of the most potent, as 14 goals in 38 appearances attests, including doubles against both Spain and France. He even scored a winning goal on his debut in 1984 against Wales when he was still a Watford player. Six goals in eight appearances went a long way to getting Scotland to the 1990 World Cup, by which time he had distinguished himself for reasons other than his obvious talent by becoming the first high-profile Roman Catholic to sign for Rangers after previously spending three years at Celtic. His penchant for a night out was also on display at Italia '90, when he was photographed on a night out with teammate Jim Bett at a time of intense national anguish following the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the opening game. Johnston scored a penalty in the must-win next game v Sweden but was thwarted by a miracle late save from Brazilian ‘keeper Taffarel in the final match, with Scotland losing 1-0 and needing a draw to progress. Although he won two more caps post Italia ‘90, he did not add to an already impressive goals tally. He is currently tenth in the all-time list of scorers. Photo: SNS Group
6. Scott Brown
Gave sterling service to Scotland after making his debut in a friendly against the United States when still at Hibs. He made his mark as a striker initially with the Scotland Under-19 side but he will be remembered as a combative midfielder for the full side as well as at Celtic, who he joined from Hibs in a record deal between two Scottish clubs. He relished playing under Gordon Strachan for both club and country and skippered Scotland for the first time in Strachan’s first game as international manager – a 1-0 win over Estonia at Pittodrie in 2013. Brown played 55 times for Scotland, adding five more caps to his total after coming out of retirement in a bid to help Scotland to the 2018 World Cup. Photo: SNS Group Steve Welsh
7. David Weir
An absolute stalwart for Scotland in a 13-year career, he provided the assist for Craig Burley to strike against Norway at the 1998 World Cup – the last time Scotland scored at this stage. But it was as a dependable defender where Weir excelled, finally finishing up on 69 caps at the age of 40 having become Scotland’s oldest-ever outfield player. He enjoyed an extended Scotland career that included a second chapter. Returned at Walter Smith’s behest after standing down from duty in Berti Vogts’ time following criticism of a performance in the 2-2 draw in the Faroe Isles in 2002. Returned to win another 32 caps, including home and away victories against France. Excelled towards the end of his career with Rangers. Photo: SNS Group Bill Murray
8. Paul Lambert
Many wonder what might have happened had he been fit for the Euro 2000 play off v England – Paul Scholes would likely not have been permitted to score twice at Hampden in the first leg for starters. A genuinely classy presence in the midfielder for Scotland, he won his first cap v Japan while still with Motherwell. He left Fir Park in the summer of 1996 under the new Bosman rule and ended up at Borussia Dortmund of all places. During his spell there he became a European Cup winner, keeping Zinedine Zidane quiet in the 1997 final v Juventus. By now at Celtic, the midfielder retired from international duty after the failed World Cup campaign in 2002 but was persuaded to return under new manager Berti Vogts, who was understandably impressed by Lambert’s time in Germany. Lambert skippered Scotland in another failed campaign, scoring one of the goals v the Faroes as the team clawed a draw v the Faroes in the Vogts’ first competitive game in charge. He won 12 caps in his second chapter under Vogts to leave him on 40 caps and one goal. Photo: SNS Group 0141 221 3602