Only one former Hibs’ player was selected for the greatest ever Scotland team as voted for by fans in a recent poll although a former manager and a supporter also made the team.
Andy Goram was the player concerned whilst Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan joined ‘The Goalie’ in the line-up.
Edinburgh was also represented with the inclusion of Graeme Souness.
Perhaps the passing of time has resulted in the great Gordon Smith and Lawrie Reilly being omitted and anyone who ever saw or played with Willie Hamilton would have included him, but when the Scotland National Team sponsor Vauxhall recently asked fans to choose their greatest ever Scotland team, here’s what they went with:
3-5-2 formation
GK: Andy Goram
‘The Goalie’ made his most notable performances for Scotland during Euro 96 when the former Hibs and Rangers goalkeeper put in some truly world-class performances. Also represented Scotland at Cricket!
DC: Alex McLeish
Aberdeen legend ‘Big Eck’ played in three World Cups finals for Scotland – 1982, 1986 & 1990 – and is a member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. He went on to manage the National Team in 2007.
DC: Alan Hansen
Won eight league championships and three European Cups during a highly successful time at Liverpool in the 1980s. Played for Scotland in the 1982 World Cup and won the last of his caps in 1987.
DC: Colin Hendry
Nicknamed ‘Braveheart’, the big centre-half really embodied the battling spirit of Scotland during the 1990s. Won the FA Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995 and lifted the domestic treble with Rangers towards the end of his career.
MF: Jimmy Johnstone
‘Jinky’ was a Celtic legend and enjoyed plenty of success in the dark blue too, with 4 goals in 23 appearances. One of only a handful of Scottish players to make top 3 in the Ballon D’Or shortlist – he came third in 1967, above Franz Beckenbauer and Eusebio.
MF: Billy Bremner
A combative and tenacious midfielder in his day, Bremner won pretty much all there is to win with Leeds United in the 1960s. Made over 50 appearances for Scotland and captained his country at the 1974 World Cup in Germany.
MF: Graeme Souness
Much like his Scotland teammate Alan Hansen, Souness made his name in the red of Liverpool but consistently shone with the national team too. The midfielder played in three World Cups from 1978 to 1986 and captained the side on countless occasions.
MF: Gordon Strachan
Our current National Coach was every bit the player as he is a manager. Between 1980 and 1992, Strachan made 50 appearances for Scotland and scored 5 goals, including one against West Germany at the 1986 World Cup sparking that famous ‘over the hoardings’ goal celebration.
MF: Davie Cooper
The former Rangers and Motherwell winger was regarded as one of the best players of his generation. Made his international debut in 1979 and played his final game for Scotland at Pittodrie in 1990. Dutch legend Ruud Gullit once described ‘Coop’ as one of the best players he’s ever played against.
FW: Denis Law
‘The Lawman’ scored over 250 goals in the domestic game and was just as prolific in the dark blue of Scotland. Law found the net 30 times during his Scotland career and is the national team’s joint-highest ever goalscorer.
FW: Kenny Dalglish
Sharing first place in the Scotland scoring stakes with Denis Law, ‘King Kenny’ was one of the finest players ever produced by Scotland. Won countless honours with Celtic and Liverpool and represented his country at three World Cup finals.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
