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.
17. Colin Hendry
Much like Christian Dailly and, later, James McFadden, Highlander Hendry assumed a mascot-like relationship with the Tartan Army, revelling in the nickname Braveheart and helping inspire Scotland to Euro 96 and the World Cup in France two years later, when he was skipper and led Scotland out against Brazil in the opening game. Scored three times, including a double in what proved his last appearance in a 4-0 win against San Marino in 2001. It should have been a memorable way to go out but it wasn’t due to an elbow controversy that he admitted looked terrible after he swung an arm that hit opponent Nicola Albani in the throat. The six-game ban he received from FIFA effectively ended the defender’s international career but should in no way define it. Played for Rangers between 1998 and 2000. Photo: SNS Group
18. David Cooper
A mercurial performer for Rangers and for a spell the most reliable of Scotland’s attacking threats as the team chased qualification for a fourth consecutive World in 1986. Struck the all-important penalty in Cardiff when under enormous pressure on the night Jock Stein died and hammered home the free-kick which broke the deadlock in the play-off win over Australia. Was described by Rangers teammate Ray Wilkins as like “a Brazilian in a Scotsman’s body” and there could be no higher praise. Played 22 times for Scotland which might, as with Jimmy Johnstone and John Robertson, seem criminally low for someone gifted with such talent and who enjoyed a fine Indian summer with Motherwell, where he won the Scottish Cup. Photo: SNS Group
19. Kenny Dalglish
King Kenny. An outrageously gifted forward, there could really only be one name at the top of this list. A real-life Roy of the Rovers for a generation although it was Kenny of Celtic and Liverpool, as well as, of course, Scotland. Whatever the colour of his jersey, he excelled. Turned many youngsters on to football through his brilliance and the sheer joy that radiated from him as he played the game and celebrated goals, very few of which seemed to be ordinary ones. One thinks of his header against Wales in the World Cup qualifying crunch match against Wales in 1977 at Anfield, a strike v Belgium from an impossibly tight angle in 1982 and a thrilling effort into the top corner in a famous 3-1 victory over Spain at Hampden in 1984 that equalled Denis Law’s record total of 30 international goals. Pulled out of the Scotland squad for Mexico ’86 due to injury but played at 1974, 1978 and 1982, scorning in the latter two against the Netherlands and New Zealand. Even German legend Franz Beckenbauer paid homage on the occasion of his 100th cap against Romania, presenting Dalglish with a trophy on the pitch at Hampden. He eventually reached a record 102 caps while remaining joint top with Law on goals scored. Photo: SNS Group
20. Ally McCoist
The former Rangers player remains the last Scotland striker to score a goal at a major finals, when he arrowed a shot high into the net at the Holte End at Villa Park for the winner against Switzerland. It proved the last of 19 goals he struck in a Scotland shirt in 61 caps dating to 1986, when he made his debut in a 0-0 draw v the Netherlands. A darling of the Scotland support, he started only one of three World Cup games at Italia ’90 after his goal v Norway in a 1-1 draw got Scotland there on a nervy night at Hampden. Craig Brown left McCoist in tears when he omitted him from the squad for France 98 – and he later admitted he regretted leaving someone who was always so good at sniffing out half-chances at home. Photo: SNS Group