What makes a Scotland cult hero? Crucial goals, a cheeky personally, key moments, being eccentric, hardworking, or enigmatic? In truth, perhaps it’s a little bit of it all.
For much of the last 25 years, the national team have had it tough. From 1999 until 2021, there were no major tournaments. Flickering moments of brilliance, perhaps, but all leading to ultimate disappointment.
While things have improved immeasurably on that front, those who came before the current crop of serial tournament qualifiers have not been forgotten. But who are Scotland’s biggest cult heroes from the last quarter of a century?
Here, we look at the Scotland national team’s biggest cult heroes of the last 25 years. Have we missed anyone out, or do you agree with our choices?
5. Andy Considine
The former Aberdeen defender was capped just three times for the national team, but left one of the funniest legacies. A Scotland cult-hero largely due to a viral video of him performing in drag to the Baccara track "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" on his stag do years prior, the track became the Tartan Army's unofficial anthem, which is still sung to this day in the Hampden Park stands. A celebrated figure from the Euro 2020 qualifying era. | SNS Group
6. James McFadden
Up until Scotland's 4-2 win against Denmark in November, Scotland fans may have thought they'd never see a better goal than McFadden's long-range effort that sealed a monumental 1-0 against France in 2007. A ray of sunshine in a time of difficulty, ‘Faddy' was fearless and played with a swagger. He scored 15 goals in 48 caps and is considered by many to be their first Scotland hero. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
7. John McGinn
Scotland's third most-capped outfield player in history, many would argue that McGinn transcends the "cult" label and should be considered an all-time great - but maybe both can be true. Unique and full of personality, the Aston Villa skipper has a knack for scoring crucial goals too. If you had a pound for every time you heard the 'we've got McGinn' chant, you may just be able to pay off the credit card for those flights to America in June. | SNS Group
8. Don Hutchison
Scorer of Scotland's last-ever goal at the old Wembley in the second leg of the Euro 2000 playoffs, Hutchinson was a big-game player for the national team who loved scoring important goals. Combative and effective in midfield, he scored the winner in a shock friendly win over Germany, though he is best remembered for the strike against the Three Lions. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602