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.
13. Alan Hutton
There were few finer sights than Hutton flying down the wing from right back for those watching Scotland from 2006, when the player, then at Rangers, made his debut. He went on to establish himself at right back and played a part in the 1-0 win over France at Parc des Princes in 2007. Became Scotland’s most expensive outfield player when he joined Spurs for £9 million in 2008 and he later joined Aston Villa, where he belatedly became a cult hero with one memorable moment being a stunning solo goal against rivals Birmingham. Never scored for Scotland but 50 caps means he has a place in the SFA’s Roll of Honour. Retired from international duty in 2016. Now cutting his teeth as a pundit. Photo: SNS Group Rob Casey
14. Jimmy Johnstone
Where does one start? Named Celtic’s greatest-ever player, he was genuinely one of the best players in his position in the world on his day and had the scars to prove it as uncompromising defenders tried to everything to stop him turning them inside out. With the talent came a streak of devilment and his low tally of 23 caps is in some part explained by indiscipline off the field, including a rowing boat incident in Largs after a match against Wales and prior to one against England a few days later, where Johnstone played well in a 2-0 win and later flicked the Vs towards the press box. It was one of six caps he won in 1974, though he didn’t get a kick at the World Cup in Germany, where he remained on the sidelines throughout – which some observers linked to his maritime misadventure in Ayrshire. Nevertheless, such a once-in-a-generation talent deserves his place here. Photo: SNS Group
15. Paul McStay
A former Scotland schoolboy international, who scored twice at Wembley in a 5-4 win over England at that level, he lived up to the promise for club – he remained at Celtic throughout his career – and country, for whom he played 76 times between 1984 and 1997. Known as the Maestro by Celtic fans, his head-up, stylish performances in midfield transferred well to the international stage, and he played at one European Championships finals and two World Cups and even played in qualifying for a third. However, he had already been forced to retire by the time Scotland had qualified for France ‘98. McStay quit football the previous summer due to an ankle injury. Although he had achieved so much, he was still just 32. Photo: SNS Group
16. Graeme Souness
At his peak he would have augmented the midfield of any country in the world. A driving force of the great Liverpool side of the late 1970s and 1980s, he led the Reds to European Cup glory as skipper in 1984 in Rome having been the de facto leader in the 1978 and 1981 triumphs as well. Made his mark for Scotland, too, and played at three World Cups, although Alex Ferguson left him of the pivotal final match v Uruguay in 1986 in a feisty clash that seemed made for him. He was struggling with food poisoning but even now one wonders what might have happened had he been on the pitch. By now player-manager at Rangers, he didn’t play again for Scotland and finished with 54 caps and four goals, including a late equaliser against USSR at the 1982 World Cup that briefly raised hopes a second-stage securing victory might be achieved. Photo: SNS Group