Greatest Premier XI: Lustig or Stevens? Jardine or McGrain? Who's the right man for right back?

5

Name: Stewart McKimmie.
Clubs: Dundee (1980 to 1983), Aberdeen (1983 to 1997) and Dundee United (1997 to 1998)
Titles: Two (1984 and 1985). 

The Aberdeen-born defender had big boots to fill at Pittodrie when he arrived at his home town club towards the end of 1983. He was signed to replace Stuart Kennedy, who had been forced to retire due to the injury he suffered in the European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final win over Waterschei the season before.
But the 21-year-old played in the second leg of the European Super Cup win over Hamburg and didn’t look back thereafter. He would win the Premier Division twice, the League Cup three times and the Scottish Cup three times in the next 14 years. In total, he made over 500 appearances. He was, then, £90,000 well spent. 
McKimmie made his Scotland debut against England in 1989 and went on to play no fewer than 40 times – including at the 1990 World Cup and 1992 and 1996 European Championship finals - for the national team. He scored once in dark blue – the winner against then world champions Argentina at Hampden in 1990.  
He was a consistent and reliable performer for both club and country who moved to centre half and left back later in his career to accommodate others.  

4

Name: Mikael Lustig
Clubs: Celtic (2012 to 2019)
Titles: Eight (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

The signing of the Swedish internationalist Mikael Lustig at the start of 2012 failed to capture the imagination of the Celtic support. Some underwhelming early performances from the former Rosenborg defender did little to convince fans he was a worthwhile acquisition. But he proved his doubters emphatically wrong. 
Lustig firmly established himself the following term and was, when fit, an automatic starter for the next seven seasons. He proved himself to be reliable defensively, physically robust and adept at getting upfield and complementing attacks. He excelled both at home and abroad, became immensely popular and enjoyed great success. 
Persistent injuries, the result of non-stop football for club and country, blighted his 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns. When he recovered his side was, despite winning their fourth consecutive title, struggling under Ronny Deila. But the right back was, along with his team mates, galvanised by the arrival of Brendan Rodgers in 2016. 
Lustig was key component of the Celtic side that went undefeated in 47 domestic fixtures in the 2016/17 season. The personal highlight was the Rabona he produced in an unbroken 25 pass move against St Johnstone that led to Moussa Dembele scoring a goal that was nominated for the prestigious Puskas Award. 
It is fair to say he was never the most popular with his opponents. He was a ferocious tackler and wasn’t averse to goading his rivals on occasion. But the Celtic fans adored him and were bitterly disappointed when his contract wasn’t renewed last summer. 

3 

Name: Gary Stevens.
Clubs: Rangers (1988 to 1994).
Titles: Six (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994).

The capture of England captain Terry Butcher and goalkeeper Chris Woods in 1986 heralded the start of the Graeme Souness revolution at Rangers. But the arrival of Gary Stevens for £1.25 million from Everton two years later proved every bit as important.
Stevens had won the English title twice, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup at Goodison Park and was also a regular with his national team. He won the Scottish title in every one of his six seasons in this country.
A tough-tackling player with searing pace and incredible stamina, he formed a devastating partnership with his compatriot Trevor Steven, who he had played alongside on Merseyside and with his country, on the right flank for much of his time in Glasgow. 

2

Name: Sandy Jardine
Clubs: Rangers (1965 to 1982) and Hearts (1982 to 1988). 
Titles: Three (1975, 1976 and 1978).

If places in the Greatest Premier XI were awarded on longevity alone then Jardine would be an automatic selection. After making his Rangers first team debut in 1967 he played for fully 20 seasons for the Ibrox club and then latterly his boyhood heroes Hearts. He rarely produced a poor performance in that time. He was named SFWA Footballer of the Year in 1975 and again in 1986. 
An impressive athlete, Jardine excelled as an overlapping full-back. His marauding runs forward were a potent attacking weapon for Rangers. But he was seldom caught out of position at the back either. He won three Premier Division titles and helped the Ibrox club to complete the treble in 1976 and 1978. 
The Edinburgh-born defender won 38 caps for Scotland and represented his country at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. At the former, he helped the national team go undefeated in their three group games. 
Jardine was given a free transfer by his European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning captain John Greig in 1982 after making 674 first team appearances. Only Dougie Gray and Greig have made more. He helped Hearts to finish runners-up in the top flight in 1986 at the age of 37. 

1 

Name: Danny McGrain.
Clubs: Celtic (1967 to 1987).
Titles: Nine (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1986).

Scotland’s greatest ever right back. The boy from Finnieston was a member of the so-called Quality Street Gang that emerged at Parkhead in the late 1960s and which included George Connelly, Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay, Lou Macari. He made his debut aged 20 in 1970, spent 17 years in the first team, won 17 major honours and made 62 appearances for his country.
He overcame being diagnosed with diabetes and suffering a fractured jaw and became a true world class talent. At his peak in the 1970s many knowledgeable judges reckoned he was the best player in his position on the planet. He was fast, physical, intelligent and technically exceptional. An affable individual off the park, he was renowned as a ferocious tackler on it. 
If there was a weakness in his formidable armoury it was up front. He scored just nine times in 681 appearances for Celtic. But it is impossible to be critical.  
“Danny was a world-class player at his peak, at right or left back,” said Brown. “He was a modern day full-back. The traditional full-back was a defensive warrior. But as time moved on they became an attacking player. Danny could have played today easily.” 

UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT: Didier Agathe, Alan Hutton, Stuart Kennedy, Jackie McNamara, Fernando Ricksen. 

TOMORROW: Left back.

THE TEAM SO FAR  

1 - Andy Goram (goalkeeper).
2 - Danny McGrain (right back).
3 - TBC (left back).
4 - TBC (defensive midfielder). 
5 - TBC (centre back).
6 - TBC  (centre back).
7 - TBC  (right winger).
8 - TBC (attacking midfielder).
9 - TBC (centre forward).
10 - TBC (striker).
11 - TBC (left winger).