The image of Sturrock with shirts outside shorts and socks rolled down is still soldered into minds of those who saw him, and though the recollections are perhaps mostly of the winger wearing a tangerine-coloured top, he was a thorn in the sides of defences for Scotland too. He won 20 caps and played in one World Cup – two appearances at Mexico ’86 - and was unfortunate not to have many more Scotland experiences. Sadly for him, players of the calibre of one K Dalglish were around in his position at the time.placeholder image
The image of Sturrock with shirts outside shorts and socks rolled down is still soldered into minds of those who saw him, and though the recollections are perhaps mostly of the winger wearing a tangerine-coloured top, he was a thorn in the sides of defences for Scotland too. He won 20 caps and played in one World Cup – two appearances at Mexico ’86 - and was unfortunate not to have many more Scotland experiences. Sadly for him, players of the calibre of one K Dalglish were around in his position at the time.

Scotland's greatest football players as top 50 of the last 50 years ranked and rated

Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo

Chief Football Writer

Published 7th Jun 2024, 07:15 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2024, 10:24 BST

We list the top 50 footballers from these shores – going back to 1974 to the present day

In the build-up to Euro 2024, The Scotsman has embarked on a project to list the top 50 Scotland players of the past 50 years.

This is not an easy exercise by any stretch of the imagination. There have been so many immensely talented football players to pull on the blue shirt of Scotland since 1974. Undoubtedly, this list will spark debate because many viewers are defined by their era, what they look for in a footballer and what their memories are of the national team. But that is the beauty of collating such a list – it is designed to get people thinking, to spark debate and recollections of some wonderful players to represent this country.

We run the list down from No 50 to No 1 and next week, we will release a two-part, 90-minute video with former Scotland winger and now pundit Pat Nevin, who in discussion with our chief football writer Alan Pattullo and sports editor Mark Atkinson picks his XI from our list that, in a hypothetical situation, would take on Germany in the Euro 2024 opener – and go on to win the tournament (maybe). Watch out for that landing on www.scotsman.com in the coming days.

So, without further ado, here is The Scotsman’s top 50 Scotland players from the past 50 years:

No doubting his ability but was under appreciated by the Tartan Army. Scored a crucial goal on the way to France 98 when he slotted home a penalty winner in a tricky end-of-season away assignment against Belarus but was injured when the finals came around. Skippered Scotland at Euro 96, when he missed a penalty against England shortly before Paul Gascoigne put the Auld Enemy 2-0 up with a memorable solo goal. McAllister also played – and scored – at Euro 92 but was the only outfield players not to taste any action at the 1990 World Cup. Played a vital role in Liverpool’s cup treble-winning season of 2000-1 as he enjoyed a late career resurgence but was already long retired from the Scotland national side, playing his final game against Czech Republic at Parkhead in 1999, when he was booed by a section of the support.

37. Number 14 - Gary McAllister

No doubting his ability but was under appreciated by the Tartan Army. Scored a crucial goal on the way to France 98 when he slotted home a penalty winner in a tricky end-of-season away assignment against Belarus but was injured when the finals came around. Skippered Scotland at Euro 96, when he missed a penalty against England shortly before Paul Gascoigne put the Auld Enemy 2-0 up with a memorable solo goal. McAllister also played – and scored – at Euro 92 but was the only outfield players not to taste any action at the 1990 World Cup. Played a vital role in Liverpool’s cup treble-winning season of 2000-1 as he enjoyed a late career resurgence but was already long retired from the Scotland national side, playing his final game against Czech Republic at Parkhead in 1999, when he was booed by a section of the support. Photo: SNS Group

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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.

38. Number 13 - 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

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The great Lawman was well past his best – and at Manchester City rather than United - when Willie Ormond decided he could not be left out of the 1974 World Cup squad after Scotland qualified for the first time since 1958. He started the 2-0 win over Zaire but was left out of the final group games against Yugoslavia and Brazil. He played for Scotland only three times in total in 1974 but deserves his place here for being, well, Denis Law. His total of 30 goals in 55 caps is phenomenal but it would have been 30 in 44 caps had he stopped playing after he scored in a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in 1972. He did not score in any of his last 11 appearances but is still joint all-time top goalscorer. A phenomenon.

39. Number 12 - Denis Law

The great Lawman was well past his best – and at Manchester City rather than United - when Willie Ormond decided he could not be left out of the 1974 World Cup squad after Scotland qualified for the first time since 1958. He started the 2-0 win over Zaire but was left out of the final group games against Yugoslavia and Brazil. He played for Scotland only three times in total in 1974 but deserves his place here for being, well, Denis Law. His total of 30 goals in 55 caps is phenomenal but it would have been 30 in 44 caps had he stopped playing after he scored in a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in 1972. He did not score in any of his last 11 appearances but is still joint all-time top goalscorer. A phenomenon. Photo: SNS Group

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William Pullar Jardine, nicknamed ‘Sandy’ due to the colour of his hair, was Scotland’s other word-class full back in a period when they – rather like now – had two befitting of such a description, with Danny McGrain also one of the best around at the time. They both distinguished themselves further by being comfortable on the both the right and left side, with Jardine mostly operating on the right for Scotland. Made his international debut as a substitute in a European Championships qualifying win over Denmark in 1970 but did make his first start until nearly a year later, in another qualifier against Portugal. Played at both World Cups in 1974 and 1978 and bowed out against Belgium in 1978 after 38 caps and one goal.

40. Number 11 - Sandy Jardine

William Pullar Jardine, nicknamed ‘Sandy’ due to the colour of his hair, was Scotland’s other word-class full back in a period when they – rather like now – had two befitting of such a description, with Danny McGrain also one of the best around at the time. They both distinguished themselves further by being comfortable on the both the right and left side, with Jardine mostly operating on the right for Scotland. Made his international debut as a substitute in a European Championships qualifying win over Denmark in 1970 but did make his first start until nearly a year later, in another qualifier against Portugal. Played at both World Cups in 1974 and 1978 and bowed out against Belgium in 1978 after 38 caps and one goal. Photo: SNS Group

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