​This team isn't based on sole international performance, but the best players from this nation in a suitable formation.
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STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
3 best players not in the squad:
  • Jimmy McGrory
  • John Robertson
  • Alex Jackson

Scotland have never reached the knockout phase of the Euros or World Cup, which is surprising given that they have such a strong squad here. Celtic and Rangers did very well in European football through the 60's and early 70's. Celtic won the 1967 European Cup and reached the 1970 final, while Rangers won the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup and reached the final in 1967. 6 players make this squad from those teams. Despite this, from the 60's up until 1972, the national team did not qualify for either major international tournament.

Willie Miller and Billy McNeill just missed out at centre-back, a position Raisbeck could play in. Sandy Jardine was very close as back-up for  the right side, while Robertson just makes it ahead of Tommy Gemmell. John Greig can cover as a 4th centre-back if needed. The central midfield options were very strong and difficult to separate. I believe Bremner and Souness have the edge as the greatest Scottish midfielders. Mackay, Baxter or James could also have easily started. The former 2 cover the deeper midfield pair, while James is back-up to Dalglish's role. Bobby Walker is another option here. Because Dalglish could also play upfront, there was no overload in central attacking-midfield. Strachan and Liddell cover the wide areas, chosen ahead of Alex Jackson and John Robertson respectively. Gallacher is back up to Denis Law.

Players by Decade: 1980's (5), 1960's (5), 1970's (3), 1900's (3), 1930's (2), 1920's (2), 2020's (1), 1990's (1), 1950's (1)

​Scottish Positional Ranking (World Class Players - 17)

​I decided not to assess anyone who comfortably peaked in the 19th Century. This includes the likes of Nick Ross and James Cowan. If a player has already displayed their ability with several years at the top in the 1890's, they only need a minimum of 3 years at the top in the 20th Century to qualify for a rating, as long as they were still around their peak.

​Top 20 Scottish Players of All-Time
​(& their all-time positional rank)
1     Kenny Dalglish
2     Denis Law
​3     Alan Hansen
4     Jimmy Johnstone
5     Billy Bremner
6     Graeme Souness
7     Alex James​
8     Jim Baxter
​9     Dave Mackay
​10   Bobby Walker
​11   Hughie Gallacher
​12   Jimmy McGrory
13   Alan Morton
​14   Billy Liddell
15   Danny McGrain
16   Gordon Strachan
​17   John Robertson
18   David Meiklejohn
19   Alex Raisbeck
20   Alex Jackson
Gold II
Gold III
Gold III
Gold III
Gold III
​Gold IV
​Gold IV
​Gold IV
​Gold IV​
​Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold IV
Gold V
Gold V
Gold V
​Silver I
Silver I
​Silver I
1     Kenny Dalglish​   II   ​​​​​17th SS
2     Denis Law​   III   ​​​32nd ST
3     Alan Hansen   III   18th CB
4     Jimmy Johnstone   III   ​​25th WNG
5     Billy Bremner​   III   27th CM
6     Graeme Souness   IV   32nd CM
7     Alex James   IV   35th CM
8     Jim Baxter   IV   39th CM
9     Dave Mackay   IV   16th DM
10   Bobby Walker   IV   53rd SS
11   Hughie Gallacher​   IV   ​​​61st ST
​12   Jimmy McGrory​   IV   ​​​73rd ST
13   Alan Morton​   IV   54th WNG
​14   Billy Liddell   IV   55th WNG
15   Danny McGrain   V   24th RB
16   Gordon Strachan   V   90th WNG
​17   John Robertson   V   91st WNG
​18   David Meiklejohn   I   'Hon Men' CB
​19   Alex Raisbeck   I   'Hon Men' DM
​20   Alex Jackson   I   'Hon Men' WNG
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