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:
21. Number 30 - Tom Boyd
Trusted full-back and sometimes centre-half who played at three major finals, won 71 caps and scored one goal - v Estonia - and one own goal, v Brazil at the World Cup in 1998, although that was merely unfortunate and summed up his determined efforts in a Scotland shirt as he sought to recover a situation but was helpless as Jim Leighton palmed the ball against him. Made his debut in a European Championships qualifier against Romania and never let Scotland down wherever he was asked to play. Photo: SNS Group
22. Number 29 - Christian Dailly
Fans still sing his name and though there might have been many more talented players, few enjoyed a bond with the Tartan Army like Dailly, who seemed to live to play for Scotland, and did so 67 times between 1997 and 2008. A memorable door-slamming episode when he (unseen) denounced German cheats live on TV still lives in the memory of many, with manager Berti Vogts giving the game away when he scolded "Christian! Christian!" while being interviewed after the 2-1 defeat in Dortmund. Always gave everything for the cause, at wing-back, centre of defence or even as a sitter in midfield, where his absence was felt in the second leg of a Euro 2004 qualifier v the Netherlands as Scotland crashed 6-0. Photo: SNS Group Alan Harvey
23. Number 28 - David Weir
An absolute stalwart for Scotland in a 13-year career, he provided the assist for Craig Burley to strike against Norway at the 1998 World Cup – the last time Scotland scored at this stage. But it was as a dependable defender where Weir excelled, finally finishing up on 69 caps at the age of 40 having become Scotland’s oldest-ever outfield player. He enjoyed an extended Scotland career that included a second chapter. Returned at Walter Smith’s behest after standing down from duty in Berti Vogts’ time following criticism of a performance in the 2-2 draw in the Faroe Isles in 2002. Returned to win another 32 caps, including home and away victories against France. Photo: SNS Group Bill Murray
24. Number 27 - John Robertson
An assist for the winner and then the winner itself is an impressible contribution in successive European Cup finals for Nottingham Forest, and he made his mark for Scotland too around this period - scoring a winner against England at Wembley from the penalty spot in 1981 and at the World Cup against New Zealand the following year. Referred to as “the fat bloke on the wing” by Brian Clough, no one was more alert to his genius than the legendary manager. Scotland, too, were appreciative but 28 caps still seems at least a dozen too few for someone who was among the best players in Europe for a spell in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. Photo: SNS Group