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:
41. Number 10 - Billy Bremner
Abundantly decorated Leeds United skipper and a totemic figure in midfield for Scotland, where he starred at the 1974 World Cup and was so close to scoring a winning goal v Brazil in the second group match. In all, the combative, red-haired Bremner won 54 caps and scored three goals and will be remembered forever in the form of a statue outside Leeds’ Elland Road ground with one also due to be erected in his hometown of Stirling. Made his international debut in a 0-0 draw against Spain in 1965 before his Scotland career to a slightly ignominious end ten years later after a nightclub incident in Copenhagen following a 1-0 win over Denmark. Photo: SNS Group
42. Number 9 - Richard Gough
Swedish-born, South African-raised Scotland legend. But another revered player whose international career came to an unsatisfying halt, in his case after a fall-out with Andy Roxburgh following the infamous 5-0 mauling by Portugal in 1993 on ‘the night a team died’. Gough went on to lead Rangers to nine-in-a-row and only the year earlier was named in the team of the tournament at the 1992 European Championships, when he showed he could cope with some of the world’s best strikers. Despite the premature end, he still won 61 caps, eight of them as captain, and played at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. Photo: SNS Group
43. Number 8 - Jim Leighton
Still currently the country’s most-capped ‘keeper with 91 appearances spanning 16 years between 1982 and 1998. The last came at the age of 40 after he had won back his Scotland place late in an eventful career. Displayed resilience after numerous setbacks and a memorable display at Ibrox against Sweden en route to France ‘98 is still recalled when remembering great Scottish goalkeeping displays. Also performed a wonderful reflex save in the last group game against Uruguay at the 1986 World Cup as Scotland battled in vain to gain the win they needed to progress. His career came full circle when he re-joined Aberdeen in 1997 from Hibs and he was at Pittodrie when he won his final Scotland caps. Photo: SNS Group Alan Harvey
44. Number 7 - Joe Jordan
The only Scot to score in three World Cups, that isn’t a record that is likely to be broken any time soon, if ever. He also memorably got Scotland to the 1974 World Cup after a 16-year exile with a headed winner against Czechoslovakia and his toothless grin while celebrating such goals remains an evocative reminder of a time when Scotland produced effective No 9s. Jordan was exported to Leeds United from Morton and later had a spell in Italy with AC Milan and then Verona. Few messed with big Joe, who struck 11 times for Scotland in 52 appearances. Was inducted in the Scottish football Hall of Fame in 2005. Photo: SNS Group