ANOTHER SUMMER, another month spent watching the world’s best footballers from the distance and comfort of our living rooms.
We are now only a few days away from the start of Euro 2016 in France, 20 years on from Scotland’s last appearance in that tournament and 18 since our last showing at a major finals.
Fear not, though, all is not lost. Even though Gordon Strachan’s players may be spending their time on a beach somewhere while the Paris party kicks off, it doesn’t mean Scottish football fans won’t have an interest in the showpiece.
SportTimes has brought together a Scottish Premiership XI of current and past players that could receive the honorary backing of the Tartan Army.
We'll be coming...
GOALKEEPER
MICHAEL McGOVERN
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUB: Hamilton Accies (2014-present), Falkirk, Ross County, Dundee United, St Johnstone, Stranraer, Celtic
The 31-year-old from Enniskillen has been a hero for the Accies support ever since he arrived at New Douglas Park two years ago.
For his country, McGovern has featured regularly for Michael O’Neill’s side who qualified for this summer’s Euros after finishing top of group F. He played five times for his country during that campaign and is in line to start between the sticks over glove rival Roy Carroll.
DEFENDERS
MIKAEL LUSTIG
COUNTRY: Sweden
CLUB: Celtic (2012-present)
You have heard of the lone Ranger, meet the lone Celt.
Despite having a dressing room filled with international players, injuries and failed qualifying tournaments mean the Swedish right-back is the only Parkhead player strutting his stuff in France.
After squeezing through the play-offs by beating Erik Sviatchenko’s Denmark in the play-offs, the composed 29-year-old right-back will face Republic of Ireland, Italy and Belgium.
JASON DENAYER
COUNTRY: Belgium
CLUB: Celtic (2014-2015 on loan from Manchester City)
The 20-year-old was part of the central defensive pairing at Celtic along with Virgil van Dijk. Now at Galatasaray on loan, Denayer has been called up for the injured Vincent Kompany.
He faces tough competition from the likes of Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen or Jan Vertonghen of Spurs, but the City kid is in with a fighting chance of making an appearance.
LEE HODSON
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUB: Kilmarnock (2016 on loan from MK Dons)
Hodson arrived at Rugby Park in February and went on to play 16 games, including the play-off win over Falkirk and looked steady at full-back.
Has several caps for his country, the last coming in a 1-0 defeat to Scotland last year.
MIDFIELDERS
NIALL McGINN
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUBS: Aberdeen (2012-present), Celtic
The former Celtic man has been a star for club and country for years. After gaining his first cap back in 2008, the 28-year-old has 39 caps already under his belt before he takes to the field against Germany, Poland or the Ukraine.
On the back of a terrific season for Aberdeen that saw the creative playmaker rack up 12 goals for Derek McInness’ title chasers, if Northern Ireland are to have any chance from this group of death, they need this man.
JAMES McCARTHY
COUNTRY: Republic of Ireland
CLUB: Hamilton Accies (2006-2009)
The Scottish-born driving force in the heart of Ireland’s midfield only just made it into Martin O’Neill’s squad after suffering from a hamstring problem.
The 25-year-old Everton man has played over 30 times in green since making his international debut in 2010, and will be a key man in the Irish’s bid to get through group E.
STEVEN DAVIS
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUB: Rangers (2008-2012)
The Ballymena man won three league titles, two Scottish Cups, three League Cups and a Uefa Cup runners-up medal during his time at Ibrox, racking up.
Now 31, the Southampton man is his country’s captain as he continues to impress four years on from his stint in Glasgow. Deserves great credit for guiding his nation to their first major finals in 30 years.
AIDEN McGEADY
COUNTRY: Republic of Ireland
CLUB: Celtic (2004-2010)
The former Celtic winger continues to be something of an enigma six years after he left Paradise for Spartak Moscow.
Frozen out at Everton and forced to move to Sheffield Wednesday on loan in January, he scored the late winner in Georgia for the Irish that ultimately cost Scotland a place at this summer’s tournament.
Look up the definition for hit-or-miss, there’s a picture of the 30-year-old.
STRIKERS
JOSH MAGENNIS
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUBS: Kilmarnock (2014-present), St Mirren, Aberdeen
What a season it has been for the Rugby Park striker.
While he may not be the most gifted player in France, what he lacks in skill he makes up for in heart and endeavour.
Banged in 13 goals for a poor Kilmarnock team this season. Completes a Northern Irish quarter of current Premiership players along with McGovern, McGinn and St Johnstone’s Alan Mannus.
KYLE LAFFERTY
COUNTRY: Northern Ireland
CLUB: Rangers (2008-2012)
A bit of a Marmite character during his four years in Glasgow, the tall forward has struggled to recreate the form he showed at Ibrox when he hit 38 goals.
Found the back of the net for Northern Ireland in last week’s friendly win over Belarus, also scored against Hungary, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greece.
The man who still dreams of a return to Glasgow could yet make a name for him in France this summer.
JOHN GUIDETTI
COUNTRY: Sweden
CLUB: Celtic (2014-15 on loan from Manchester City)
Arrived at Parkhead in a shower of goals in September 2014. Scored 11 goals in 10 games to endear himself to the Celtic support before only hitting a further four in the second half of the season.
Now banging in the goals at Celta Vigo, Guidetti has three full caps under his belt for Sweden, mostly playing alongside superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He 24-year-old faces competition for the second striker role from Marcus Berg and Emir Kujovic.
SUBSTITUTES:
Darren Randolph (Republic of Ireland – ex-Motherwell), Fraser Forster (England – ex-Celtic), Owain Fon Williams (Wales – Inverness CT), Danny Ward (Wales – ex-Aberdeen), Joe Ledley (Wales – ex-Celtic), Wes Hoolahan (Rep. of Ireland – ex-Livingston), Daryl Murphy (Rep.of Ireland – ex-Celtic), Robbie Keane (Rep. of Ireland – ex-Celtic), Simon Church (Wales – ex-Aberdeen)
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