As the domestic season limps to its conclusion, it’s that time again. We recognize the best eleven players in Scotland who have starred in the drama (or lack thereof) during the 2020-21 campaign.
Here’s the Best Eleven Players In Scotland for 2020-21
GOALKEEPER
Alan McGregor, Rangers: Yes, the seemingly ageless wonder benefitted from having a team in front of him that was firing on all cylinders from the start of the season. However, he has allowed only eight goals all season and recorded 16 clean sheets. Thankfully (for Rangers), he has another season left on his current contract.
DEFENDERS
Connor Goldson, Rangers: The Englishman has made 50 or more appearances in each of his three seasons at Ibrox. This term, he has contributed goals (eight, to be exact) to boot. As valuable a member of Steven Gerrard’s squad as there is, he is the perfect understudy to…
James Tavernier, Rangers: The ’Gers captain leads, defends, takes set pieces and scores goals a-plenty. Tavernier is arguably the best all-around player in the Scottish game at present.
Borna Barišić, Rangers: Noticing a trend? When your side has surrendered 13 goals in 36 league matches, your defenders are going to get the plaudits. Barišić, in his third season in Govan, was healthy enough this term to make 50 appearances across all competitions. It’s no coincidence Rangers had its best season since his arrival in 2018.
Ryan Porteous, Hibernian: Porteous has been on everyone’s radar for some time. He’s been tipped for a move to Celtic for two years and would likely be on Rangers’ wishlist as well were he not constantly tormenting the Ibrox side’s attacking players.
MIDFIELDERS
Joe Aribo, Rangers: You can’t accuse us of front-running with Aribo, who earned Full Scottish accolades last term as well. A dynamo in the middle of the park, he has netted eight goals in 41 matches across all competitions in 2020-21.
Glen Kamara, Rangers: The Finn reportedly had his choice of Celtic or Rangers when he left Dundee in January 2018. That he chose Ibrox finally paid dividends this term. A dogged competitor, Kamara has become a key cog in everything Gerrard’s side does.
Callum McGregor, Celtic: See? We’re not just reading off the Rangers team sheet. McGregor, like his club, had a down campaign in 2020-21, but he is still as talented a player as there is in the Scottish game, and Mr. Reliable as well.
Ali McCann, St. Johnstone: Even we’re questioning our decision to not give the Irishman-by-way-of-Edinburgh Young Player of the Year last week. Celtic reportedly see McCann as the perfect replacement for Scott Brown. However, his current club in Perth already see him as indispensable in their Cinderella run to (they hope) the domestic cup double.
STRIKERS
Lewis Ferguson, Aberdeen: Not the most dynamic XI ours, but we defy you to score against us. And, hey, for the record, the Dons’ stalwart scored 10 times for a team that struggled to hit the back of the net. Ferguson, too, is drawing interest from Glasgow’s big two and teams down south, but Stephen Glass will be doing all he can to keep him in the Granite City and have him serve as an understudy to player/coach Brown.
Kemar Roofe, Rangers: Before you say it, we know: Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard is the most gifted footballer in Scotland, and Roofe’s teammate, Alfredo Morelos, is probably next in line. However, Roofe is far more reliable than the mercurial Morelos and Edouard too often seems too disinterested. We’ll take 16 goals in 34 appearances anytime, particularly with the energy with which Roofe plays.