Scot 100: David Coates picks his Scottish football XI
The Away End are putting together the 100 greatest players in Scottish football history. You can vote for your team here :- http://www.theawayend.net/our-content/top-100-players
Today David Coates picks his greatest XI with a strong Celtic link.
Jim Leighton (Aberdeen, Hibernian) - Leighton made just under 400 appearances for the Dons during his two spells with the club during Aberdeen’s most successful period in their history in the1980s and early 90s. He won 3 Scottish league titles, 4 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups and the Cup Winners Cup during his time with Aberdeen and is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers Scotland have ever produced. He played over 90 times for Scotland which is still a Scottish International record for a keeper.
Tommy Gemmell (Celtic) - The Motherwell born left back will be forever remembered for scoring a thunderbolt of an equaliser in the 1967 European Cup Final for the Hoops. However he also scored in the 1970 European Cup Final against Feyenoord becoming the first British player to score in two different European Cup Finals.
Tommy Gemmell
John Greig (Rangers) - Greig spent his entire career at Rangers and is one of their most celebrated captains. He made well over 700 appearances for the Ibrox side and helped guide them to three domestic trebles during his 17 years at the club. His finest moment was leading Rangers to the Cup Winners Cup glory against Dynamo Moscow for their first and only European trophy.
Billy McNeill (Celtic) - If Greig epitomises Rangers then Billy McNeill did the exact same for Celtic. Cesar as he’s known became the first British player to lift the European Cup in 1967 and was a lynchpin of Celtic’s nine-in-a-row success under Jock Stein during the 60s and early 70s. A great organiser and leader of the defence McNeill became and remains one of the most popular and respected figures in Scottish football.
Danny McGrain (Celtic) - Attacking fullbacks have become the norm nowadays but McGrain was one of the few during the 70s and 80s. He made 700 appearances for Celtic and holds the proud record of having never lost in five World Cup games for Scotland. McGrain is still the best ever fullback to have played for Celtic and Scotland and would be worth millions today.
Jim Baxter (Raith Rovers & Rangers) - “Slim Jim” will always be remembered for playing keepie-uppie at Wembley against World Champions England as Scotland swaggered to a famous 3-2 win. A born entertainer his spell with Rangers led to 3 League Championship medals, 3 Scottish Cups and 4 League Cup winners’ medals during his six years at the club. Overall a player who’s talent alone was worth the admission price.
Lubomir Moravcik (Celtic) - The Slovakian midfielder became an instant hero at Parkhead when his first two goals came against Rangers in a 5-1 victory. He instantly struck up a great partnership with Henrik Larsson during Celtic’s greatest period since the Jock Stein era. He only had four seasons at Celtic Park but during that time excited the fans with his skill and flair.
Jim Bett (Airdrie, Rangers, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd) - Bett had his best spell of his career at Aberdeen where he won Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup winners medals. An anchor in midfield who was able to keep the ball like nobody else. He was inducted into Aberdeen’s Hall of Fame in 2003 as one of the founding members.
Jimmy Johnstone (Celtic) - The ‘Lord of the Wing’ was a born entertainer with lighting speed and who was never afraid to take anyone on. A World Class player who won 9 Scottish League titles and the European Cup during his time with the Hoops. In a testimonial match for Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano which Celtic won 1-0 Di Stefano himself claimed it was “The Jimmy Johnstone show” after ‘Jinky’ put on a masterful display.
Henrik Larsson (Celtic) - The ‘Magnificent Seven’ didn’t enjoy a great start to his Celtic career but fast became a club legend and one of the best strikers to play in Scotland. He played a vital role in Celtic’s title winning side which stopped Rangers ten in a row bid in 1998 and went on for further title success. His finest moment in a Hoops jersey was his two headed goals in the UEFA Cup Final against Porto in 2003. The Swede scored 242 goals in 315 appearances and having signed for just £650,000 is arguably Celtic’s greatest ever signing.
Lawrie Reilly (Hibernian) - Reilly was part of Hibs “Famous Five” the best attacking frontline that Scotland have ever produced. The Hibs striker scored an incredible 185 goals in 253 games during his time at the Easter Road club. He also won the League Championship three times between 1948 and 1952. Reilly is still Hibernian’s most capped player ever and is fourth in the Scotland national team’s top ever goal scorers.
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