Sport
5 best Scottish players in the Premier League
The long wait is almost over for Scotland fans as the delayed Euro 2020 tournament edges closer. We decided to take a look at the top Scottish players plying their trade in the English Premier League, who’ll all be aiming to be a vital part of Steve Clarke’s squad in the summer.
The 5 best Scottish players in the Premier League
Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)
After an injury-plagued start to life at the Emirates, Tierney is finally hitting top form and justifying Arsenal’s decision to shell out £25 million to prise him away from Celtic in August 2019. While Tierney can cover centre-back, he’s primarily a left-back and it’s his marauding runs down the left that make him a fan favourite – first with the Celtic faithful and now with the Gunners.
So far he has thrived under Mikel Arteta and there are already murmurings that the left-back should be given the captain’s armband over current leader, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. On the international scene, Steve Clarke has the conundrum of shoehorning in both Tierney and Andy Robertson into the left-hand side of the Scotland defence – an unenviable task.
But it seems like the only way is up for Tierney, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a guy who arrives at a Premier League match with his gear in a Tesco bag?!
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Robertson has tasted Champions League and Premier League success since joining Liverpool in 2017 and he’s now rated as one of the top left-backs in Europe. Arriving at Anfield from Hull, he was initially understudy to Alberto Moreno before cementing himself as first choice following the Spaniard’s short absence through injury.
The 2018-19 season saw Robertson and Liverpool defeat Spurs to lift the Champions League and then go on to win the Premier League title in 2019-20. Now captain of Scotland, Robertson presents Steve Clarke with the dilemma of who to pick as first-choice left-back with two world class players to choose from – classic Scotland.
Wherever he plays though, Robertson will be a key part of the Scotland squad this summer as they finally make their return to a major international tournament. Undoubtedly one of the finest Scottish players in the Premier League at present.
Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
United supporters might not all be Ole fans, but most agree that Solskjaer has helped nurture Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay in recent months and United are now reaping the rewards. McTominay is one of the first on the United team sheet these days and he’s already being mentioned as United’s answer to Jordan Henderson.
With Gary Neville and Roy Keane both championing McTominay recently, United’s gain is also Scotland’s gain, with the midfielder an integral part of Steve Clarke’s squad. Having covered in defence and midfield for Scotland, a fit and in-form McTominay will be what all Scotland fans are wanting come the Euro’s.
John McGinn (Aston Villa)
McGinn has been a revelation since joining Aston Villa in 2018 from Hibs and has thrived alongside Jack Grealish, Douglas Luis, and Anwar El Ghazi in the Villa midfield. ‘Meatball’ helped Hibs lift the Scottish Cup in 2015, ending their 114 wait for the trophy and cementing himself in Easter Road history.
After looking set to join Celtic, Villa swooped and McGinn helped them seal a return to the Premier League, scoring in the 2-1 defeat of Derby in the play-off final. He also helped himself to the Championship goal of the season award for his swerving 25-yard volley over Sheffield Wednesday.
Internationally, McGinn has bagged seven goals in 29 appearances so far for Scotland and was instrumental in them sealing a spot at the Euro’s next summer.
Stuart Armstrong (Southampton)
Another Celtic import, Armstrong arrived at St Marys in the summer of 2018 and quickly accustomed himself to life in the Premier League. Part of Brendan Rodger’s ‘Invincibles’ at Celtic Park, Armstrong is now a key part of Ralph Hasenhüttl’s high-press side.
Only Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United won more Premier League games than Southampton in 2020 and it’s set to be a big 2021 for Armstrong as he looks for glory at the Euro’s in the summer with Scotland. With 22 caps so far, Steve Clarke will be looking to Armstrong to provide some grit in the Scottish midfield, particularly against England come 18th June. Not the highest profile of the Scottish players currently plying their trade in the Premier League but that is changing game by game.
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