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:
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.
![Famous for having one of the hardest shots in football at the time, Lorimer was a key figure as Scotland made it to the World Cup in 1974 for the first time since 1958. He started all three games there, scoring against Zaire. The Dundonian never played club football in Scotland, signing for Leeds United as a teenager and going onto become their youngest debutant, aged just 15. He was instrumental in Don Revie’s feared side of the 1970s, where he became an English league title winner and played in no fewer than five European finals. His goal against Zaire at the World Cup final was a trademark rocket shot with the keeper said to have almost saved it – on the way out.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg0YzdmZTE4LWE5NzctNDc5NS04MDNhLTdiNDhiZjA1NjQ1YjpkZDhmYmExMi0yY2QyLTQ5ZjItYjZiNC0wYzg3ZjA4OTc1ZGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Number 42 - Peter Lorimer
Famous for having one of the hardest shots in football at the time, Lorimer was a key figure as Scotland made it to the World Cup in 1974 for the first time since 1958. He started all three games there, scoring against Zaire. The Dundonian never played club football in Scotland, signing for Leeds United as a teenager and going onto become their youngest debutant, aged just 15. He was instrumental in Don Revie’s feared side of the 1970s, where he became an English league title winner and played in no fewer than five European finals. His goal against Zaire at the World Cup final was a trademark rocket shot with the keeper said to have almost saved it – on the way out.Photo: SNS Group 0141 221 3602
![Among the most controversial strikers of his era, but also one of the most potent, as 14 goals in 38 appearances attests, including doubles against both Spain and France. He even scored a winning goal on his debut in 1984 against Wales when he was still a Watford player. Six goals in eight appearances went a long way to getting Scotland to the 1990 World Cup, by which time he had distinguished himself for reasons other than his obvious talent by becoming the first high-profile Roman Catholic to sign for Rangers. His penchant for a night out was also on display at Italia '90, when he was photographed on a night out with teammate Jim Bett at a time of intense national anguish following the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the opening game. Johnston scored a penalty in the must-win next game v Sweden but was thwarted by a miracle late save from Brazilian ‘keeper Taffarel in the final match, with Scotland losing 1-0 and needing a draw to progress. Although he won two more caps post Italia ‘90, he did not add to an already impressive goals tally. He is currently tenth in the all-time list of scorers.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmYzN2QzMDIzLWMxZTktNDQ5Yi1hOWEyLWQzOWQ0YjkyN2NkZToyZTMzNDZkYi01MzU5LTQzM2YtYjY3OC0xNjFlODZkYzY0OTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Number 41 - Mo Johnston
Among the most controversial strikers of his era, but also one of the most potent, as 14 goals in 38 appearances attests, including doubles against both Spain and France. He even scored a winning goal on his debut in 1984 against Wales when he was still a Watford player. Six goals in eight appearances went a long way to getting Scotland to the 1990 World Cup, by which time he had distinguished himself for reasons other than his obvious talent by becoming the first high-profile Roman Catholic to sign for Rangers. His penchant for a night out was also on display at Italia '90, when he was photographed on a night out with teammate Jim Bett at a time of intense national anguish following the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the opening game. Johnston scored a penalty in the must-win next game v Sweden but was thwarted by a miracle late save from Brazilian ‘keeper Taffarel in the final match, with Scotland losing 1-0 and needing a draw to progress. Although he won two more caps post Italia ‘90, he did not add to an already impressive goals tally. He is currently tenth in the all-time list of scorers.Photo: SNS Group
![On 55 caps and counting, the 30-year-old has become a fixture of the Scotland midfield in recent years and is regarded as a first pick for Steve Clarke. Made his debut against the Netherlands in a friendly at Pittodrie in 2017, when Malky Mackay was in caretaker charge. Has the status of being the last Scotland player to score a major finals, with his well-struck equaliser against Croatia at Hampden at Euro 2020 giving Scotland some brief hope in a must-win game. Will be a key player in Germany this summer.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmJjN2U1ZTkxLTA3NWEtNDM3NS05ZmMzLWRmMTQ1NmFjOTMyMzo5YWI4MDQ1OC00NjE4LTRiMzctYmU5ZS1hYzFiOWRlN2ZkYTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Number 40 - Callum McGregor
On 55 caps and counting, the 30-year-old has become a fixture of the Scotland midfield in recent years and is regarded as a first pick for Steve Clarke. Made his debut against the Netherlands in a friendly at Pittodrie in 2017, when Malky Mackay was in caretaker charge. Has the status of being the last Scotland player to score a major finals, with his well-struck equaliser against Croatia at Hampden at Euro 2020 giving Scotland some brief hope in a must-win game. Will be a key player in Germany this summer.Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
![Already holds the record for longest international career, with his first cap coming against Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 and his last one – to date – being against Turkey at the end of 2022, just before a horrific leg break sidelined him for a year. Now 41, he has still to make his comeback on the international stage – when and if he does, he will also become Scotland’s oldest player, surpassing the 40-year-old David Weir. Whether or not he does play again, he has been an outstanding goalkeeper for Scotland over 74 caps and 31 clean sheets although he has still to play in a major finals, with David Marshall preferred at Euro 2020.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3OWFlMTBhLWI3MDQtNDEyNS05YjFkLTUzMTcwZTBlODdjMjoyMmIwY2Y0MC1kOGYxLTRmMzQtYmM4Ny0wOGJjNGVjMWIxYzM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Number 39 - Craig Gordon
Already holds the record for longest international career, with his first cap coming against Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 and his last one – to date – being against Turkey at the end of 2022, just before a horrific leg break sidelined him for a year. Now 41, he has still to make his comeback on the international stage – when and if he does, he will also become Scotland’s oldest player, surpassing the 40-year-old David Weir. Whether or not he does play again, he has been an outstanding goalkeeper for Scotland over 74 caps and 31 clean sheets although he has still to play in a major finals, with David Marshall preferred at Euro 2020.Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group