Scottish football has never lacked for playmakers and risk-takers, but which on DAY SEVEN: THE MID
Celtic (1998 to 2002) Two (2001 and 2002).
OH, how they laughed when Dr Jo Venglos brought in a littleknown 33-year-old playmaker from his native Slovakia to Celtic in a cut-price £300,000 transfer back in 1998.
Rangers had lavished over £25million on a raft of household names that summer after Dick Advocaat had been appointed manager. This signing was evidence, the critics mocked, that the old biscuit-tin mentality was alive and well at Parkhead.
Well, Lubomir Moravcik (below) proved to be a rather worthwhile acquisition and then some. He certainly made far more of an impact than Gabriel Amato, Colin Hendry, Andrei Kanchelskis and Daniel Prodan did across the city. He enjoyed great success and became a cult hero to supporters.
Mention the name “Lubo” to Celtic fans fortunate enough to see him in action in the flesh during the four seasons that he spent in this country and they will go all misty-eyed at the memory of his sublime trickery.
But there was real steel along with the skill. He was tenacious as well as talented, formidable not just flashy. He gave the Glasgow club a real cutting edge in the final third.
He scored a double in a 5-1 win over Rangers at Parkhead in just his third game and, despite being unable to help Celtic lift any silverware in his debut season, continued in that vein.
Martin O’Neill recognised a unique talent when he took over as manager in 2000, urged Moravcik to get forward and attack at all times and used him repeatedly. His side did the domestic treble and then retained the title before, amid widespread mourning, the attacking midfielder departed.
He remains one of the
Jim Leighton, Darren Fletcher and Alex McLeish have won more caps for their country. 1998) 1997).
Rangers (1995 to
Two (1996 and
HIS time in Scotland was all too brief and he only won the Premier League on two occasions because of the shortness of his stay. But
Paul Gascoigne makes it into the Greatest Premier XI on his ability alone. He was the most naturally gifted British footballer of his generation, possibly ever. The Scottish game was lucky to, albeit fleetingly, have him involved.
Walter Smith signed the England internationalist from Lazio in a club record £4.4m fee in 1995. He didn’t disappoint. “Gazza” was immense in his debut campaign. He scored 19 goals in 42 games, including a hat-trick in the win over Aberdeen at Ibrox that clinched the title, won the Scottish Cup and was named both PFA Scotland and SFWA