The 5 Greatest Scottish Footballers of all-time
Scottish Football’s Greatest Players
As their first World Cup appearance came in 1954, Scotland's presence in international football is evidently not a recent occurrence.
However, in terms of success, the Tartan Terriers have unfortunately fallen short so far. Regardless, the Scots always put in battling performances whenever called to represent their country, both as a team and as individuals. But who are Scotland’s greatest football players?
Here then are 5 of Scotland's best ever footballers, or soccer players if you prefer:
1. Kenny Dalglish: King Kenny
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward
Caps: 102
Goals: 30
Scotland's most capped player and joint-top scorer, Kenny Dalglish is undoubtedly the Western European nation's finest export.
His senior international debut came in November 1971 at 20-years old during his fourth season as a pro for Scottish giants Celtic.
A sporadic member of the national team for a few years, Dalglish's importance began to grow in 1973, right before the 1974 FIFA World Cup. After 9 caps in ’73 alone, Dalglish was selected for the ’74 WC squad.
Playing either in the centre of the midfield of a 4-3-3 or as a striker in a 4-4-2, Daglish started all 3 of Scotland's games as the Scots exited in the group stage despite being unbeaten (1W 2D) and having kept two clean sheets in a resolute performance by the team overall.
The playmaker solidified his iconic legacy soon afterwards, scoring winning goals vs England in consecutive years (1975 and ’76).
Due to his fantastic form for then-club Liverpool of England and having scored 7 goals in 10 caps in 1977, Dalglish was certain to represent Scotland at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
At the ’78 WC, Dalglish started all 3 of Scotland's games as the Scots once again crashed out in the group stages. Playing either on the flanks, central midfield or as a striker in a 4-4-2, the attacker scored the opening goal of Scotland's thrilling 3-2 win vs the Netherlands in their final group game.
Dalglish's last major international tournament was the 1982 World Cup. At the tournament, Dalglish played as a forward in a 4-3-3 as his side once again failed to progress past the group stage.
He played 2 from 3 games at the ’82 WC, scoring the opening goal in Scotland's 5-2 demolition of New Zealand. The maestro was called up to the 1986 WC squad but had to withdraw due to injury. His last cap came in November 1986 at the age of 35.
A good dribbler with fantastic movement, Dalglish was also clinical with both feet regardless of his distance from the opposition goal. He is 7th all-time on Liverpool's top scorer list and 10th all-time on Celtic’s top scorer list.
2. Denis Law: Twinkle Toed Forward
Position: Striker
Caps: 55
Goals: 30
Scotland's joint-top scorer with 47 fewer caps than the aforementioned Dalglish, Denis Law is one of the most prolific goal scorers in football history. His senior international debut came in October 1958 at 18-years old.
At the time, Law was in his third season as a pro for Huddersfield Town in England.
The marksman's international career started slowly, as he only scored once in his first 2 caps. However, after 1959, Law went on to score 9 goals in his next 10 caps. 1963 was the frontman's best year for his country, scoring 11 goals in 7 caps as Law began to show his best form after moving to Manchester United.
The striker's dazzling form for club and country earned him the 1964 Ballon d'or, the only Scotsman to ever win the accolade. Law was selected in Scotland's squad for the 1974 World Cup. He was already his country's record scorer at the time.
His only minutes came as a starter for Scotland's opening game vs Zaire. This was Law's last game for his homeland; he was 34 at the time.
Nicknamed ‘Denis the Menace' by opposition fans, Law scored 3 goals vs England and 4 vs Wales while playing for Scotland. Blessed with quick feet and impeccable awareness, a lot of the striker's goals came as a result of Law simply making the right decisions with and without the ball.
He ranks third in Manchester United's all-time goal scorers.
3. Jim Leighton: Battle Hardened Keeper
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 91
Scotland's most-capped goalkeeper and their second most capped player overall, Jim Leighton's 16-year international career illustrates great longevity.
An uncapped member of the ’82 World Cup squad, Leighton's senior international debut eventually came in October 1982 at the age of 24. His debut occurred in his sixth season as a pro for Scottish club Aberdeen. By 1983, he was the starting goalkeeper.
Selected for the 1986 World Cup, eventually won by Maradona and Argentina, and wearing the #1 for Scotland, Leighton started all 3 of his nation's games, keeping 1 clean sheet in a disappointing tournament that saw Scotland exit in the group stages.
The ‘keeper continued to be integral after 1986, racking up at least 5 caps annually in the buildup to the 1990 WC.
At the 1990 WC, Leighton started all 3 games as Scotland once again failed to progress further than the group.
In 1991, due to his poor form for then-club Manchester United, Leighton lost his starting spot in the national team. This led to the shot-stopper being dropped for the 1992 European Championships and sat on the bench for Euro ’96.
After getting more game time and regaining his form at Scottish sides Hibernian and former club Aberdeen, Leighton was selected as starting goalkeeper for Scotland's 1998 WC campaign.
At the WC held in France, Leighton started all 3 of Scotland's games as they exited in the group round once again.
This would prove to be Leighton's last major international tournament. He retired from national team duty in October 1998 at the incredulous age of 40.
As a goalkeeper, Leighton's reflexes were catlike and his positioning immaculate as well. His strong wrists ensured he was fearless, often catching the ball as he saved penalties. Leighton ranks sixth all-time in total appearances for Aberdeen.
4. Graeme Souness: Midfield Enforcer
Position: Central Midfielder
Caps: 54
Goals: 4
A proper tough-tackling, no-nonsense midfielder, Graeme Souness enhanced the teams he played for through his grit and elite mentality.
Souness' senior international debut came in October 1974 at 21-years old. This was in the midfielder's fifth season as a pro, and his third at English side Middlesbrough. After 3 caps in 2 years, Souness wasn't called up at all in 1976 and ‘77. His move to Liverpool in 1977/78 then prompted his return to the national team.
He was called up to represent Scotland at the 1978 World Cup. Souness, unfortunately, missed his country's first two games due to injury but returned to start their final group game against Holland.
His presence in midfield inspired a 3-2 Scotland win as the Scots exited in the group stages with a measure of pride due to their last performance. Souness' performance at the ’78 WC solidified his place in the national team.
At the ’82 WC held in Spain, Souness started all 3 of Scotland's games, captaining his country in 2 of those. Playing in central midfield of either a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2, he kept things organized in the team and kept the ball moving.
Souness even scored the equalizing goal in Scotland's final group game, a 2-2 draw vs the Soviet Union. While Scotland eventually exited in the group stage, Souness once again gave a good account of himself.
The midfielder's final major international tournament was the 1986 WC, with Souness then already player/manager at Rangers of Scotland.
Playing in the midfield of a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1, he captained and started 2 from 3 games as Scotland again failed to progress past the group. This proved to be the last time Souness represented Scotland. He was 33-years old at the time.
A midfielder with a seemingly unbreakable will, Souness did his team's dirty work while also serving as a leader who kept standards high. Leaders like him are a rare breed in the present day.
5. Jim Baxter: Talented but Troubled
Position: Left-half / Winger
Caps: 34
Goals: 3
Widely regarded as one of Scotland's greatest ever players, Jim Baxter had an impressive career but one shortened by his off-field antics.
His senior international debut came in November 1960 at the age of 21. Baxter's debut was in his fourth season as a pro, but his first at Rangers of Scotland.
The winger immediately became a regular member of the national team, racking up 7 caps in the next year alone. His legacy is as a result of his performances vs England in both 1963 and ’67.
The 1963 performance is considered his best, as Baxter scored a brace to lead 10-man Scotland to a 2-1 victory. His 1967 performance in the Scots' 3-2 victory meant Scotland were the first team to beat England after the latter's 1966 WC triumph.
His last cap came in 1967 at the age of just 28. Baxter in his prime was known for his outstanding vision, with the passing range to match. Known for his elegant and confident way of playing, this would often increase the team's confidence as they knew he could win games singlehandedly.
Due to alcoholism and gambling problems, Baxter retired from football altogether in 1970 aged only 31. A great talent wasted.
Honourable Mentions:
Gordon Strachan, Hughie Gallacher, Archie Gemmill, Danny McGrain and Alex McLeish.
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