ALEX McLEISH

Ex-Scotland defender picks his best team

JIM LEIGHTON JIM had a great understanding with myself and Willie Miller. He he was a terrific goalie – the best in Aberdeen’s history.

STUART KENNEDY STUART was ahead of his time in terms of being an advanced, attacking full-back. If he was playing today, he’d be in the English Premier League.

ALEX McLEISH I ALWAYS took it as a personal insult if a centre-forward I was marking got a goal. In the end, I think I did pretty well.

WILLIE MILLER THERE were better footballers out there than myself and Willie. But I never saw a finer penalty box defender anywhere.

MAURICE MALPAS MAURICE had great consistency and composure. He drove inside brilliantly, the same way Denis Irwin did, to more acclaim, for Manchester United. GORDON STRACHAN STRACHS was intelligent, a good passer, and scored goals. He was a real team player – a guy appreciated by the boys who lined up next to him.

GRAEME SOUNESS GRAEME was as hard as they come, but he was also a terrific footballer. His ability on the ball is often overlooked, but nobody who played with him could ever forget it.

IAN DURRANT

I ONLY played with Ian four times for Scotland, but his class was undeniable. A lot will always be made of the injury he sustained whilst playing for Rangers at Pittodrie in 1988. I understand that. For me, the way he came back from it was a mark of the man.

PETER WEIR PETER proved over and over again with his performances in big games for Aberdeen what a terrific player he was.

KENNY DALGLISH ANYBODY who played with Kenny instantly understood why Liverpool fans called him The King. MO JOHNSTON MO was a nightmare to defend against at club level, but he was a dream to have on your side on Scotland duty. He was one of my toughest opponents. SEAN HAMILTON