9 Players You Forgot Played in the SPFL

The Scottish Professional Football League is relatively overlooked by many football fans as a result of the lack of competition and skill level that may better replicate the lower leagues of England. However, there are plenty of big-name players who have made their move to Scotland that may have been forgotten.

There are many notable names who have played in some of the top teams in the SPFL, such as Virgil Van Dijk, Paul Gascoigne, and Kenny Dalglish, but there are many who people have completely let slip from their memory who featured in the league. So today, BOYLE Sports, the home of live casino online games, will be taking a look at nine players you forgot played in the SPFL.

Ian Wright

A legend of the game, Ian Wright built a legacy after joining Arsenal from Crystal Palace, becoming one of the most iconic names in England. The pacy and tricky winger won two FA Cups and a Premier League title during his time with the Gunners, before moving to West Ham and eventually Celtic. His time at Celtic lasted one season from 1999 to 2000, only appearing a handful of times.

Freddie Ljungberg

A huge part of Arsenal’s iconic Invincibles season in 2004, Freddie Ljungberg spent nine years in North London, becoming one of the league’s top players and building a reputation as one of Sweden’s best. The winger played all around the world, including in England, Sweden, the US, Japan, India, and Scotland. In 2011, he spent a year at Celtic, playing a handful of games after a trial, leaving Europe once more for Japan.

Gennaro Gattuso

The now Italian manager opposed the previous two named players, joining the Scottish league at an early point in his career. The World Cup winner is mainly known for his time at AC Milan, winning two league titles and two Champions Leagues, but during the early years of his career, he spent a year at Rangers, from 1997 to 1998. After being forced out by manager Dick Advocaat, Gattuso returned to Italy and became one of the best in the world.

Roy Keane

Roy Keane’s reputation in the sport is one that sets fear into opposition players, with his brutal nature and unforgiving style of play. The Irish-born midfielder began his career in his home country before making the move to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, where he would captain and spend most of his years. At the end of his career in 2005, after a dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson, Keane chose to join Celtic, retiring in 2006.

Kolo Toure

The Ivory Coast centre-half spent the majority of his career in North London with Arsenal, being a part of the infamous 2004 invincibles squad, before moving on to Manchester City and eventually Liverpool, three of the biggest clubs in England. He was a massive figure for all three sides, as well as the Ivory Coast. Bringing an end to his career, he spent 2016-2017 in Scotland with Celtic, playing only a handful of games before hanging up his boots.

Juninho

Worshiped by almost every Middlesbrough supporter, Juninho may not have the biggest name in terms of others on this list, but he is a World Cup winner who was an exciting talent as a youngster. His talent doesn’t particularly stretch outside of the Brazilian league, but he did help Borough to win their only major trophy in the club’s history. From 2004 to 2005, he spent his time at Celtic before turning to Brazil once more, scoring only once for the Celts.

Craig Bellamy

The current Wales national team manager, Craig Bellamy, might not have been the most successful player, but he featured in some top sides, including Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United. Bellamy made many appearances for Newcastle from 2001 to 2005, during which he experienced a successful single season spell at Celtic in 2005. Although he never made the move permanent, he did win the Scottish Cup.

Thomas Gravesen

Thomas Gavesen, a Danish international, will go down in history not just for his quality in the midfield but also for his hilarious and mad reputation. The opposition was fearful of the fiery Dane, which was one reason he appealed to the English side, Everton. After five years with the Toffees, and a single year at Real Madrid, Gravensen made the move to Celtic, spending one year with the first team and one year back on loan at Everton.

Mikel Arteta

The current Arsenal boss and Pep Guardiola understudy enjoyed many years of his playing career at Everton and Arsenal. Similar to Gattuso, Arteta joined Rangers at the start of their career, spending two years from 2002 to 2004 in Glasgow. He won a league title and a league cup while in Scotland, helping to elevate his career to the level he reached in England.