Here I will attempt to pick a team of the best players currently playing in the SPL, out with the Old Firm. Due to the difficult nature of the task, two players have been selected for every position in a 4-4-2 formation. There are some notable exclusions from the team but admittedly that is due to a lack of knowledge regarding some teams and players which meant that an informed decision could not be made. Corrections and opinion are welcome.
GOALKEEPERS
Marian Kello (Hearts)
Kello is a reliable and athletic goalkeeper as well as a great shot stopper. He performed fantastically last season and was voted Hearts’ Players’ Player of the Season and Fans’ Player of the Season. He also picked up the Save of the Season award for a wonderful fingertip save to deny Rangers’ Steven Davis. Furthermore Kello kept twelve clean sheets in the league last year, putting him in 4th place in the league charts.
Cammy Bell (Kilmarnock)
As a Kilmarnock supporter this may be viewed as a slightly biased choice as there are some top goalkeepers in the SPL. However the 24 year old has firmly established himself as the number one at Killie following speculation about his future during the summer. He is tall and strong and is an excellent shot stopper, saving Killie on a number of occasions. He is also willing to play the ball to feet from kicks, as is Killie’s style. He managed seven clean sheets last season and has two to his name so far this term. Regularly in the thoughts of Scotland manager Craig Levein, he earned his first and only cap in a friendly against the Faroe Islands.
Missing out:
Darren Randolph (Motherwell), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United), Paul Gallacher (Dunfermline), Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone)
DEFENDERS
Danny Grainger (Hearts, LB)
Even though he is still only 25 Grainger has a wealth of experience of playing in the SPL. He has turned out for Gretna, Dundee United, St Johnstone and Hearts. Very attack minded, he has the fitness and desire to get up and down the left flank. Defensively he is strong and a difficult man to beat. He also possesses a good left foot and is capable of good delivery.
Paul Dixon (Dundee United, LB)
A similar player to Grainger, Dixon also likes to get forward and contribute in attack. He notched up seven assists last season, a decent statistic for a defender. Previously voted Dundee United’s Young Player of the Year he has great potential to improve.
Jamie Hamill (Hearts, RB)
Another marauding full back, Hamill started out as a midfielder before moving to right back. Equally adept in attack and defence, Hamill has the ability to deliver good balls into the box, be it from open play or from a dead ball situation. Furthermore he is effective from the penalty spot and contributed a number of goals for Kilmarnock last season. However, he does have a knack of riling opposition players and fans and at times struggles with discipline. Last season he received the 2nd most yellow cards in the league.
Tom Hateley (Motherwell, RB)
The son of ex-Rangers player Mark Hateley, Tom Hateley is another player who started out in midfield. He has since extablished himself as Motherwell’s first choice right back. Defensively he is strong but also has a good eye for a pass. Another player who can be dangerous in dead ball situations.
Marius Zaliukas (Hearts, CB)
The Hearts captain has been a consistent performer in the SPL since joining in 2006. He is big, strong and good in the tackle. He is also effective in the air and has good awareness and positioning.
Garry Kenneth (Dundee United, CB)
Similar to Zaliukas, Kenneth is very strong defensively and good in the air. Always a threat from corners, he occasionally likes to get forward and hit shots from range. Has been capped for Scotland and is a player Craig Levein admires and knows a lot about.
Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell, CB)
The young English centre back has done very well to fill the void left by the departure of the consistent Mark Reynolds to Sheffield Wednesday. Has formed a good partnership at the heart of the defence with Stephen Craigan, and will certainly benefit from his experience. He is a difficult player to beat and is strong in the air. Great potential to improve.
Paul Hanlon (Hibernian, CB)
Hanlon is included, despite playing for Hibs, as he is a player with bags of potential. Currently Hibs’ vice-captain he has regularly represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level. Hasn’t made a great start to the season but would certainly benefit from better players round about him. John Hughes in particular regards Hanlon as a great prospect for the future.
Missing out:
Zdenek Kroca (Kilmarnock), Andy Webster, Darren Barr (Hearts), Mihael Kovacevic, Keith Watson, Sean Dillon, Barry Douglas (Dundee United), Steven Saunders, Stevie Hammell (Motherwell), Richard Foster (Aberdeen), Callum Booth (Hibs)
MIDFIELDERS
Andrew Driver (Hearts, LM)
Driver is a player that seems like he has been around forever, but is still only 23. He has good experience of playing in the SPL and is a quick skillful player. Possesses the ability to take a man on and can score goals. Previously been linked with call ups to the England and Scotland squads.
Danny Swanson (Dundee United, LM)
Overcame a heart bypass at the age of 13 to develop into one of the most consistent players in the SPL. Good on the ball, has an eye for a pass and can beat defenders one-on-one. Also has the ability to score good goals.
James Dayton (Kilmarnock, RM)
Dayton has started the season in great form and has bounced back well after suffering cruciate ligament damage a year ago. Another quick and skillful player he can at times ghost past opposition players. Provides good service to the strikers and can be dangerous from dead ball scenarios. Capable of scoring great goals.
Jonny Hayes (Inverness Caley Thistle, RM)
Similar to Dayton, Hayes likes to run with the ball and likes to cut inside to utilise his very good left foot. Contributes both goals and assists and scored one of the goals of the season last year, a 25 yard screamer against Rangers. Consistently one of Inverness’ best performers.
Keith Lasley (Motherwell, CM)
The “Housewife’s Favourite” is currently in his second spell at Motherwell following time down south at Plymouth Argyle. Highly regarded in Scotland, by Motherwell and opposition players alike, Lasley consistently turns in good performances. He is reliable, maintains possession well and keeps things simple. Technically gifted and is particularly adept at passing. Perhaps would like to add more goals to his game.
Paul McGowan (St Mirren, CM)
McGowan is a very exciting talent and has great potential to go on to bigger things. He is comfortable on the ball and is able to find good positions on the pitch. A good passer he may be a future Scotland player (according to Chick Young) if he can maintain the form he has started the season in. Another player with the ability to score great goals.
Murray Davidson (St Johnstone, CM)
Davidson’s career didn’t get off to a great start, receiving red cards in his first two appearances for Livingston. However he did manage to impress after this and moved to St Johnstone. Was recently courted by Rangers following a series of good performances last season. However a bid was rejected as it did not meet St Johnstone’s valuation. Has been included in Scotland squads and looks to be a good young prospect. Derek McInnes describes Davidson as a competitive and confident player.
Ian Murray (Hibernian, CM)
The former Rangers player is currently in his second spell at Hibs and is an experienced player. Strong and competitive, Murray is comfortable playing in a number of positions and is a natural leader on the pitch.
Missing out:
David Wotherspoon (Hibs), Jody Morris (St Johnstone), Eggert Jonsson, Ryan Stevenson, Ian Black, Mehdi Taouil, David Templeton, Rudi Skacel (Hearts), Scott Robertson, John Rankin, Scott Allan (Dundee United), Steve Jennings, Nicky Law (Motherwell), Liam Kelly, Manuel Pascali (Kilmarnock), Fraser Fyvie, Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen), Martin Hardie (Dunfermline)
STRIKERS
John Sutton (Hearts)
Sutton is a big strong player who fits into the target man mould for a striker. Very good in the air and is a handful for defenders. Scored 17 goals in the league last season for Motherwell.
Michael Higdon (Motherwell)
Something of a relegation specialist, Higdon scored the goal to keep Falkirk in the SPL in 2009 and last season scored 14 crucial goals to help St Mirren fight off relegation. Higdon was signed as John Sutton’s replacement at Motherwell this season and is a similar type of player.
Jamie Murphy (Motherwell)
Murphy is a player with lots of potential and has represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level. He is skillful, composed and an accomplished finisher. Motherwell’s leading European goal scorer, Murphy has been linked with a move down south but doesn’t look likely to move in this transfer window. He can also play out wide and may go on to bigger and better things.
Garry O’Connor (Hibernian)
O’Connor has started this season in fine form and has scored three goals in four games since re-signing for Hibs. Has played in top leagues in Russia and England and has great experience. He has a decent scoring record for Scotland with four in 16 but has never been able to secure a regular place in the squad. He's capable of causing defences a number of problems and is a confident finisher.
Missing out:
Scott Vernon (Aberdeen), Richie Foran (Inverness), Nigel Hasselbaink (St Mirren), Kevin Kyle, Stephen Elliott (Hearts), Jon Daly, Johnny Russell (Dundee United)
MANAGER
Derek McInnes (St Johnstone)
At 40 McInnes is still a young manager and has great potential. He has worked under a number of different managers and will have learned different things from each one. He has done a great job so far at St Johnstone and has rejected a number of more lucrative jobs from clubs in England. He is able to get the best out of his players and would do well at a club with greater resources.
Looking at this team it is clear to see why Hearts are regarded as the 3rd best team in the SPL. There are a number of good players currently in the SPL and some of the younger players look like they have the potential to develop a good career in football. However, this team probably still wouldn’t challenge the stranglehold the Old Firm currently has on Scottish football.
No comments:
Post a Comment