T few decades, but who’s our man out wide for the Premier XI? IGHT WINGER
Dons fans adored the gingerhaired magician almost as much as opposition supporters loathed him. The manner of his departure for Manchester United in 1984 angered Ferguson, who would join him at Old Trafford two years later, but his legendary status in the north-east was unaffected.
He won 50 caps for Scotland, captained Leeds United to the First Division title in 1992 and became the first man to receive the FWA Player of the Year award in both England and Scotland.
Celtic (2010 to present day)
Nine (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020).
WHEN the baby-faced teenager from Prestwick made his Celtic first team debut against Motherwell as a late substitute 10 years ago last month there was great excitement about his potential. But nobody could have envisaged just how influential and successful he would become for the Parkhead club. He is, along with Scott Brown, the only player to pick up winners’ medals in every one of their nine consecutive Scottish title triumphs.
Forrest (below) is fast, powerful, direct and has amazing close control. He can go outside players and wreak havoc cutting inside. Like every winger, he can blow hot and cold. But when he is on his game he can be unplayable, including at the very highest level in Europe.
He lost his way for a while after Ronny Deila replaced Neil Lennon as manager and looked set to depart. Injuries were a factor in that.
He was revitalised when Brendan Rodgers arrived.
He grew in
Nine-In-A-Row. It was fitting that he scored the goal, a header against Dundee United at Tannadice, that clinched that achievement.
So how come Laudrup was so good? The ball stuck to his feet. He had incredible pace and could glide past opposing players. But he could also cut open a defence with a pass. He set up as many goals for his team mates as he created.
In the 1996 Scottish Cup final Gordon Durie scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Hearts. But that match will forever be known as “the Laudrup final”. He set up all three of the striker’s goals and netted a brace himself
He became only the third player after John Greig and Sandy Jardine to win the SFWA Footballer of the Year award twice in 1997. But he did it in the space of just three seasons.
Archie Knox was Smith’s assistant during the winger’s time in Scotland. “In that Chick Young interview with Walter he said Brian couldn’t play at the highest level in Europe,” said Knox. “He deserved to get that mike rammed up his a***!”
Tommy McLean, Shunsuke Nakamura, Claudio Reyna.