No Newcastle 'Braveheart'

Last updated : 01 July 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Edwardian period, when the Magpies were the top team in the country, the side was littered with Scots. And how can we forget the year 1927 ... the last time we won the league title ... we had the genius of Hughie Gallacher leading the line, plus a handful of others from north of the border.


Our FA Cup successes in the 1950s saw the likes of Ronnie Simpson, Frank Bennan and Bobby Mitchell. The Fairs Cup win in 1969 and Wembley appearances later in 1970s we had Bobby Moncur, Tommy Gibb, Jim Scott, John McNamee, Jackie Sinclair, Jimmy Smith, Micky Burns and Tommy Craig.

But sadly it is "Scotland the Brave" no more, or am I jumping the gun?

Gary McAllister believes interest in Scots from top clubs south of the border bodes well for the future of the game in Scotland and times are set to change.

The former Scotland skipper believes he has begun his role as Premier League ambassador at a time of great optimism for the game in his country.

McAllister, who spent his career in England after leaving Motherwell in 1985, believes the popularity of Scottish players with English scouts proves the quality of the SPL is on the up.

This week alone Garry O'Connor completed his £2.7million move from Lokomotiv Moscow to Birmingham, fellow Scotland striker Craig Beattie lined up a move to West Brom and Russell Anderson signed for Sunderland in a £1million move from Aberdeen.

McAllister: "There is more credibility with the SPL. There is more quality in the league than some people think.

"For maybe 10 years or so the English clubs were a bit reluctant to come up and pluck players away.

"But in the last 10 days English clubs have signed three of our best players.

"These guys will be trailblazers for the Scots still here.

"I feel the Scottish national team will benefit from having players in the English Premiership."

Just as a matter of interest, can you name the last Scottish players (there were two) who were the last to play for Newcastle at Wembley?

Answers on this page on Monday.