As England get set to face Scotland in the 2018 World Cup qualifier, and having read the superb book "Toon's Greatest 100 Players Ever!" ... (https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=Toon%27s+Greatest+100&type=) ... it is amazing how many Scottish players are featured in the book.
The Toon’s formative Victorian and Edwardian eras were marked by a strong Scottish presence, with players like Peter McWilliam, Jimmy Lawrence and Andy McCombie being involved in titles and FA Cup successes.
Later on, the great Hughie Gallacher was instrumental in delivering the last league title to St James’ Park back in 1927. The wee man hailed from Bellshill near Glasgow.
After the war, Scotland remained a fertile source of talented players, many of whom formed the backbone of Toon teams right up until the late-1980s - and let’s not forget United’s current Scottish internationals, Matt Ritchie and Grant Hanley.
My post-war Scottish Newcastle United-XI would be:
In goal, 1950s FA Cup star and future ‘Lisbon Lion’ Ronnie Simpson.
A three-man backline with twice FA Cup winner Frank Brennan; Fairs Cup skipper Bobby Moncur; and the guy who swung from the Mackem crossbar at Roker Park, John McNamee.
Five across midfield with ‘Jinky’ Jimmy Smith on the right; the magical Tony Green; Cup winning skipper Jimmy Scoular; left-footer Tommy Craig; and flying winger Bobby Mitchell.
Two up front - the brute force of Duncan Ferguson and guile of Mark McGhee.
Subs from: Matt Ritchie, John Brownlie, Dave Hilley, Tommy Gibb, Jim Scott, and Jackie Sinclair.