Dunfermline Athletic

The Best Players To Represent The Scottish National Team

Date: Wednesday, 5th Oct 2022

Scotland’s 0-0 draw against Ukraine at the end of September secured promotion to UEFA Nations League Division A, a much-needed boost after disappointment at Euro 2020 and failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup.

We take a look back at some of the best players to wear the Dark Blue of the National Team – but do you agree with our choices?

Jim Baxter (34 caps, 3 goals)


Former left-half Jim Baxter is widely regarded as one of the best players to represent Scotland. Despite just three goals in his 34 appearances for the National Team, so-called ‘Slim Jim’ helped Rangers to ten trophies in just five years at club-level, between 1960 and 1965. Baxter was heavily involved in his team’s success, with 18 goals in 136 appearances in his first spell for the Glaswegian side.

Baxter’s former team Rangers are in the Champions League this season: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side are without a win from their first three Group A games, however, Paddy Power are offering football odds of just 25/1 to progress from the Group. Paddy Power also provides free football betting tips on the Champions League and beyond, including the Scottish Premiership, where Ranger currently 5/2 to regain the title following Celtic`s triumph last campaign..


Kenny Dalglish (102 caps, 30 goals)


Rangers’ fourth match in Champions League Group A is against Liverpool, the former side of another Scottish legend on this list - Sir Kenny Dalglish. ‘King Kenny’, as he was affectionately known, is Scotland’s most capped player with 102 appearances to his name. In that time, Sir Kenny scored an incredible 30 goals, becoming the joint-leading scorer for the Tartan Army alongside Denis Law.

While a fine performer on the national stage, Dalglish’s record at the club level speaks for itself. The former striker was most successful during his time on Merseyside, winning six English League Championships, one FA Cup and three European Cups, amongst others. In terms of personal honours, Dalglish won the Ballon d`Or Silver Award, the PFA Players` Player of the Year and was twice named the FWA Footballer of the Year.

Denis Law (55 caps, 30 goals)


Law has already been mentioned on this list for being the nation’s joint-top goal-scorer, although he did so in 47 fewer appearances than Dalglish. The former centre forward holds perhaps the most prestigious individual accolade out of the names on this list, being the only Scottish player ever to win the European Footballer of the Year award.

Law - who was born in Aberdeen - had spells at clubs across England, as well as a rogue stint in Italy with Torino; however, he is most known for his time at Manchester United between 1962 and 1973. Beyond his formidable scoring record at a national level, Law is also third in United’s all-time rankings with a staggering 237 goals, behind Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney.



While there are many more names throughout history that could have been mentioned on this list, it is certain that there will also be additions from future stars. Current representatives of the national team such as Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Kieran Tierney are likely to don the Dark Blue of the Tartan Army for many years to come, meaning their names are sure to live long in the memory of the Scotland fans who are looking at brighter times ahead under the guidance of Steve Clarke.



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