The Ten Best Players In Scotland

The Scottish Premier League rarely gets the credit it deserves, despite a terrific performance in Europe last season when Rangers reached the UEFA Cup final and Celtic reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the second season in a row.

This season hasn’t been so eye opening but there is still a ton of potential in the SPL and things still look bright for the future of the Scottish national team. If you don’t believe me then just look through this list and see how many of the best players in the SPL are actually Scottish.

You wouldn’t find as many Englishmen in the top 10 of the Barclay’s Premier League. That’s for sure.

So let’s meet the SPL’s top 10 players (in no particular order):-

Artur Boruc: Celtic

Celtic’s Polish goalkeeper was one of the five goalkeepers short listed for the FIFPro world team of the year last season after his stunning performances for Poland in the 2008 European Championships and Celtic’s European campaign. The 28-year-old is one of Europe’s most coveted keepers but I hope he stays in Glasgow as he helps add to the quality to the Scottish game.

Known as the “Holy goalie or the Holey goalie” depending on what side of Glasgow you are in because of his religious believes and a recent penchant for letting in a clanger (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9gdqz6G1Sx0).

 

Allan McGregor: Rangers

The Rangers number one and Scotland number two (three caps), like Boruc, has not had everything his own way this year after last years heroics, but there is no doubting his class. The 26-year-old was a large part of Rangers run to the UEFA Cup Final last season with some fantastic performances (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCDjO6-hfg).

If he was English, he’s be the national number one, but he is not and will have to play second fiddle to Sunderland’s Craig Gordon for now.

He has two Scottish Cups and three League Cups to his name but will be hoping that this season brings that illusive League title win.

 

James McCarthy: Hamilton Academicals

Hamilton’s young starlet is wanted by Barcelona if you believe the papers. That probably says it all but if not, I’ve already written an article on the 18-year-old who’s stock is rising with every appearance.

The centre midfielder is quick, skilful and calm as a cucumber on the ball. The young Scot, who has decided to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level, was named the Scottish First Division’s young player of the year last season. A season he started, aged just 16.

 

Scott Brown: Celtic

Celtic’s diminutive midfielder is a real livewire (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O4sLtcz07aU); think Scotland’s answer to Wayne Rooney but in a different position. The former Hibernian midfielder already one of the first names on the team sheet for club (has already over 200 first team appearances) and country (14 caps) at just 23. He has a great career ahead of him.

The hard tackling, hard working midfielder cost Celtic £4.4 million (a large amount between two clubs in Scotland) but continues to interest English suitors including Everton, Tottenham Hotspurs and Middlesbrough.

Brown though, is determined to add to his League Cup winners medal (won with Hibs) and Scottish League winners medal with Celtic.

 

Pedro Mendes: Rangers

The only UEFA Champions league winner on the list after winning with FC Porto in 2004 under Jose Mourinho. The twice capped Portuguese international funnily enough made his international debut against Scotland but has only recently been involved again with the Portuguese national side.

The 29-year-old is actually shorter than Scott Brown but is famous for his long range goals. In his one and only Old Firm appearance so far, he secured a place in Rangers folklore with a 25-yard screamer (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=d01iz_uKqRI&feature=related) that sunk Celtic.

Mendes has already won a player of the month award in Scotland and the creative midfielder will be aiming to add to last season’s FA Cup Final win with Portsmouth by the time the season is over.

 

Steven Fletcher: Hibernian

Another player who has caught the eye of Spain’s finest. Fletcher has been linked with Real Madrid in the past and the big striker is one of Scotland’s hottest prospects.

The 21-year-old however, spends more time on the physic’s bed than on the pitch and this has affected his form this season. He has managed to accumulate over 150 first team appearances with 47 goals in his relatively short career and there is no doubt, on his day, he is Scotland’s finest front man (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3UfZg9VYk2A).

Fletcher has only two caps for his country due mainly to injury but if he can stay fit there is a bright future ahead. Winning last years Scottish Football Writers Young Player of the Year award is testament to his potential.

 

Aiden McGeady: Celtic

Aiden is another bright Scottish born prospect who has chosen to represent the ROI. The 22-year-old winger is Scotland’s answer to Cristiano Ronaldo and on his day is capable of being just as dangerous (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpg0m7EXYnE&feature=related).

McGeady has already amassed 20 caps for his chosen country and was last year chosen as Scotland’s Player of the Year as well as Players Player of the Year on top of being voted the Clydesdale Bank SPL Young Player of the Year.

Approaching 200 games for Celtic, McGeady has already won three league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup.

 

Barry Ferguson: Rangers

Rangers hard-working centre midfielder Barry Ferguson is the captain and leader of Rangers. Last year he led not only the hunt for a club quadruple that ended with defeat in the UEFA Cup Final, but also Scotland’s heroic European Championship qualifying campaign which saw them beat France twice, finishing a whisker away from qualifying for Scotland’s first major finals since France 98.

The 30-year-old is arguably Scotland’s best player and has what is known as BMT (Big Match Temperament) (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=48wW984rORg). The midfielder rarely lets down club or country and was recently honoured with an MBE (member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II.

Ferguson has played 44 times for Scotland and played over 450 professional games. In 2003, he moved to Blackburn Rovers for £7.5 million but injury halted his charge in the English Premier League and ended with a return north of the border.

Last season he played vital games for Rangers with pain killing injections before games. These included three cup finals (Scottish Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Cup Final).

Barry has four League, four Scottish Cup and five League Cup winners medals to his name.

 

Kris Boyd: Rangers

What can you say about Rangers striker Kris Boyd? Lazy, technically poor and maybe not the best attitude but who cares when he scores goals like this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5k9SUrDwj_s) (wait for he third replay, sorry about the quality but it's worth it). Actually, he scores all sorts of goals and pretty often.

The Rangers hit man scored 25 goals in 41 games last season (most of which were from the bench) and amazingly still found himself on the bench at the start of this season. It didn’t last long however and Boyd has bagged 17 goals in 19 games this season.

In total, it is 88 goals in 125 games. Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, and Robbie Fowler eat your heart out.

For all his goal scoring (seven in 15 games for Scotland), Boyd has only won one League Cup and One Scottish Cup but he did score two goals in each final.

His fallout with national team boss George Burley means he’ll not be seen in a Scotland jersey for a while but Rangers are certainly benefiting.

 

Christophe Berra: Heart of Midlothian

The Hearts captain, as you may of guessed, is half French, but we need some sort of breaks, losing too many players to Ireland as it is.

Berra has so far been capped three times by Scotland and the 23-year-old defender is one of the brightest stars out with the Old Firm. He is a true British centre back, tall, strong and pretty hands on shall we say.

The Edinburgh born defender is getting better and better and is a future regular in the Scotland defence.

How long he’ll stay at Hearts is a far more difficult speculation.

So there you have it, my top ten players currently plying their trade in the SPL. There were some players who were unlucky to miss out. Steven Davis, Kevin Thomson and Kenny Miller of Rangers. Shunsuke Nakamura, Shaun Maloney, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Barry Robson and Stephen McManus of Celtic and Darren Barr of Falkirk.

Now I put a question to you, who is the best of the best and the leading player in the SPL?