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:

Where does one start? Named Celtic’s greatest-ever player, he was genuinely one of the best players in his position in the world on his day and had the scars to prove it as uncompromising defenders tried to everything to stop him turning them inside out. With the talent came a streak of devilment and his low tally of 23 caps is in some part explained by indiscipline off the field, including a rowing boat incident in Largs after a match against Wales and prior to one against England a few days later, where Johnstone played well in a 2-0 win and later flicked the Vs towards the press box. It was one of six caps he won in 1974, though he didn’t get a kick at the World Cup in Germany, where he remained on the sidelines throughout – which some observers linked to his maritime misadventure in Ayrshire. Nevertheless, such a once-in-a-generation talent deserves his place here.

25. Number 26 - Jimmy Johnstone

Where does one start? Named Celtic’s greatest-ever player, he was genuinely one of the best players in his position in the world on his day and had the scars to prove it as uncompromising defenders tried to everything to stop him turning them inside out. With the talent came a streak of devilment and his low tally of 23 caps is in some part explained by indiscipline off the field, including a rowing boat incident in Largs after a match against Wales and prior to one against England a few days later, where Johnstone played well in a 2-0 win and later flicked the Vs towards the press box. It was one of six caps he won in 1974, though he didn’t get a kick at the World Cup in Germany, where he remained on the sidelines throughout – which some observers linked to his maritime misadventure in Ayrshire. Nevertheless, such a once-in-a-generation talent deserves his place here. Photo: SNS Group

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Alex McLeish’s second spell as Scotland manager was more of a struggle than his first, when he led the country to the brink of qualification for Euro 2008. But he started a transitional process, earned a Euro 2020 play-off place through the Nations League and, crucially, gave McTominay his debut in a friendly defeat to old foes Costa Rica in 2018 having persuaded the Lancaster-born midfielder to turn out for Scotland, which the player stresses had always been his first choice. Six years later no-one has any complaints, with the player making a huge contribution to Scotland’s latest Euros qualification success after scoring seven goals, including a famous double v Spain.

26. Number 25 - Scott McTominay

Alex McLeish’s second spell as Scotland manager was more of a struggle than his first, when he led the country to the brink of qualification for Euro 2008. But he started a transitional process, earned a Euro 2020 play-off place through the Nations League and, crucially, gave McTominay his debut in a friendly defeat to old foes Costa Rica in 2018 having persuaded the Lancaster-born midfielder to turn out for Scotland, which the player stresses had always been his first choice. Six years later no-one has any complaints, with the player making a huge contribution to Scotland’s latest Euros qualification success after scoring seven goals, including a famous double v Spain. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group

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A former Scotland schoolboy international, who scored twice at Wembley in a 5-4 win over England at that level, he lived up to the promise for club – he remained at Celtic throughout his career – and country, for whom he played 76 times between 1984 and 1997. Known as the Maestro by Celtic fans, his head-up, stylish performances in midfield transferred well to the international stage, and he played at one European Championships finals and two World Cups and even played in qualifying for a third. However, he had already been forced to retire by the time Scotland had qualified for France ‘98. McStay quit football the previous summer due to an ankle injury. Although he had achieved so much, he was still just 32.

27. Number 24 - Paul McStay

A former Scotland schoolboy international, who scored twice at Wembley in a 5-4 win over England at that level, he lived up to the promise for club – he remained at Celtic throughout his career – and country, for whom he played 76 times between 1984 and 1997. Known as the Maestro by Celtic fans, his head-up, stylish performances in midfield transferred well to the international stage, and he played at one European Championships finals and two World Cups and even played in qualifying for a third. However, he had already been forced to retire by the time Scotland had qualified for France ‘98. McStay quit football the previous summer due to an ankle injury. Although he had achieved so much, he was still just 32. Photo: SNS Group

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There were few finer sights than Hutton flying down the wing from right back for those watching Scotland from 2006, when the player, then at Rangers, made his debut. He went on to establish himself at right back and played a part in the 1-0 win over France at Parc des Princes in 2007. Became Scotland’s most expensive outfield player when he joined Spurs for £9 million in 2008 and he later joined Aston Villa, where he belatedly became a cult hero with one memorable moment being a stunning solo goal against rivals Birmingham. Never scored for Scotland but 50 caps means he has a place in the SFA’s Roll of Honour. Retired from international duty in 2016. Now cutting his teeth as a pundit.

28. Number 23 - Alan Hutton

There were few finer sights than Hutton flying down the wing from right back for those watching Scotland from 2006, when the player, then at Rangers, made his debut. He went on to establish himself at right back and played a part in the 1-0 win over France at Parc des Princes in 2007. Became Scotland’s most expensive outfield player when he joined Spurs for £9 million in 2008 and he later joined Aston Villa, where he belatedly became a cult hero with one memorable moment being a stunning solo goal against rivals Birmingham. Never scored for Scotland but 50 caps means he has a place in the SFA’s Roll of Honour. Retired from international duty in 2016. Now cutting his teeth as a pundit. Photo: SNS Group Rob Casey

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