Scot 100: Alan Potts puts together his greatest Scottish Football XI
The Away End are searching for the greatest 100 players in Scottish football history. Podcast host Alan Potts gives his greatest XI, and explains why Jim Bett would make his team ahead of Paul Gascoigne.
Jim Bett and Davie Cooper both make the side
This could be one of the toughest tasks I have ever completed and trust me I have spent countless hours, if not days, debating with myself who should make this starting eleven.
Unlike some others, I have chosen players that I remember, so unfortunately greats such as Billy McNeill, John Greig and Kenny Dalglish are left out.
The beauty of this type of task is that it throws up some people you have completely forgotten about, but is that not what the beautiful game is all about, opinions.
Goalkeeper: Stefan Klos
There have been many excellent goalkeepers in Scotland in the 25 years or so I have been watching games including Andy Goram, Theo Snelders and Jim Leighton.
Although they were all terrific goalkeepers, Klos seemed to equal if not better Goram’s achievements at the club and was a pivotal part in both Advocaat’s and Alex McLeish’s success.
Superb shot stopper and even better at one on one situations, had genuine quality and it was a travesty that the keepers Ibrox career ended so quietly after he never fully recovered from a serious knee injury.
Right Full Back: Tom Boyd
The ex-Motherwell and Celtic man just seemed to be such a consistent performer for both club and country (if you forget his OG against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup).
Was an integral part of the Hoops side throughout the 1990’s and was club captain as the Parkhead side won their first league title in 10 years in 1998.
Right Centre Half: Lorenzo Amoruso
The big Italian certainly split the Ibrox faithful at times but when it really mattered ‘Amo’ almost always came up with the goods. He just beats Ibrox hero Richard Gough to make the team.
Arrived with the film star looks and the shades to match and earned a warning from boss Walter Smith at is first press conference to stay away from his new manager’s wife Ethel.
He knew he was good and boy did the big fella like telling the world he knew it.
His Light Blues career finished with a goal, as he scored the winner in the Scottish Cup Final against Dundee in 2003 before leaving the park in tears to sign for Blackburn.
Left Centre Half: Alex McLeish
‘Big Eck’ formed the backbone of Sir Alex’s Aberdeen side alongside skipper Willie Miller.
The Scotland legend had everything you could look for in a centre half and his courage, strong tackling and 100% commitment helped drive the club to success which they have still to equal to this day.
Left Back: Arthur Numan
The Dutchman was a genuinely world-class talent in the SPL. He was convinced to follow boss Dick Advocaat to Ibrox in 1998 after a successful World Cup with Holland.
Was criticised for the defensive side of his game but he used his pace to rescue Rangers on several occasions and was a constant attacking threat.
Right Wing: Brian Laudrup
Laudrup arrived at Ibrox in the mid 90’s with no great fanfare. Fans were more excited about the prospect of European Cup winner Basile Boli pulling on the blue jersey, oh how they quickly changed their mind.
From his first game at Ibrox against Motherwell, he showed the speed, skill and vision that would see him become a legend at the club and be voted into the greatest ever Rangers team.
Centre Midfield: John Collins
The Scotland star never seemed to be as highly regarded until he left these shores to star in France with Monaco and down south with both Fulham and Everton.
Superb playmaker, who was a tremendous worker for both Hibs and Celtic, throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Deadly from long range free kicks and an integral part of the Scotland squad, earning 58 caps for his country.
Centre Midfield: Jim Bett
Just slips in ahead of Paul Gascoigne to sit beside Collins in midfield. The Aberdeen legend made part of the spine which drove the club to success.
Shockingly earned only 21 caps for Scotland and how national boss Craig Levein must wish he had someone with Bett’s passing ability today.
Left Midfield: Davie Cooper
‘Coop’ The Rangers and Motherwell legend could open a tin of beans with his left foot and just think how good he could have been if he had a half decent right.
Was recognised as one of the best players of his generation and earned plaudits from football legends including Ruud Gullit and Johan Cruyff.
Was still wowing the crowds in his thirties for Motherwell before he tragically passed away in the mid-90’s.
Striker: Henrik Larsson
The Swede was a bargain at £650,000 as Wim Jansen looked to end Rangers domination in Scottish football.
Few would imagine what kind of impact the dreadlocked assassin would have in Scotland as he terrorised defences at home and abroad.
The argument rages as to who was the best ever foreigner to grace our shores but we should look back at the strikers as arguably one of the last ‘world-class’ players to ply their trade in the SPL.
Striker: Ally McCoist
The Rangers manager was the clubs talisman for the best part of 15 years and those who grew up in the late 80’s and early 90’s could hardly argue of a better striker in Scotland.
Seemed to score against any opposition that was put in-front of him and with two consecutive Golden Boots to his name it is hard to leave the Scotland legend out of the side.
The Light Blues manager could be doing with a player just like himself right now as he looks to win the title in his first season as manager at the club.
Team:
Klos
Boyd Amoruso McLeish Numan
Laudrup Collins Bett Cooper
Larsson McCoist
Pick your team now at http://www.theawayend.net/our-content/top-100-players
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