Glasgow Born XI: Surprisingly no Celtic or Rangers stars

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Our star-studded ‘Glasgow Born XI’ features players from Everton, West Ham and Hull City, but surprisingly no current Celtic or Rangers stars.

Celtic and Rangers fans in Glasgow

Glasgow is one of Europe’s great footballing cities. In a city of roughly 600,000, smaller than Leeds, Glasgow has three football stadiums with a capacity in excess of 50,000, namely Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden Park. The last of those, Hampden Park, the home of the Scottish national team, holds the record for Europe’s highest ever official attendance, 149,547 for England vs Scotland in 1937.

The two biggest teams in Glasgow, Celtic and Rangers, have dominated domestic football in Scotland, as well as Celtic having won the 1967 European Cup and Rangers having won the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup, with both also reaching numerous European finals but falling at the final hurdle.

Glasgow has given birth to footballing legends such as Kenny Dalglish, Jock Stein and Sir Alex Ferguson, three of the most successful men in the history of the game. We have taken a look at what a current ‘Glasgow Born XI’ might look like, building the strongest possible XI of players born in the Scottish city based solely on current ability.

Glasgow born Hull City goalkeeper David Marshall

David Marshall

Experienced shot-stopper David Marshall was born in Glasgow and joined Celtic as a youngster. He went on to make half a century of appearances for the Bhoys before heading south of the border. The 31-year-old has since played for Norwich City, Cardiff City and current club Hull City, playing in both the Championship and the Premier League, as well as winning 27 caps for Scotland.

Ikechi Anya

At right-back it is Glasgow-born wide man Ikechi Anya. A versatile and pacy footballer, Anya’s father is Nigerian whilst his mother is Romanian, but the 29-year-old has won 24 caps for his native Scotland. Anya has never played for a Glasgow or Scottish-based club, and currently stars for Championship side Derby County.

Charlie Mulgrew

Charlie Mulgrew celebrates scoring for Blackburn against Newcastle

Unlike Anya, Charlie Mulgrew has played for a Glasgow side, making over 200 appearances and winning 8 trophies in 6 years at Celtic. The Scotland international left the Bhoys in 2016 to join Blackburn Rovers, but has since discussed the possibility of a return to Parkhead.

Gordon Greer

It was a tough shout between Gordon Greer and Murray Wallace, but in the end it’s an all-Blackburn affair at centre-back, with Greer partnering Mulgrew. The 36-year-old Greer who is in the twilight of his career has won 11 caps for Scotland and previously played for Clyde and Kilmarnock.

Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson in action for Scotland

From our second Blackburn Rovers player to our second Hull City player, Andy Robertson is a shoe-in in this XI. Despite the Tigers struggles in the Premier League, Robertson rarely looks out of his depth in the English top flight, and has been linked with a number of high-profile clubs. Aged 22, the former Queen’s Park and Dundee United man already has 12 Scotland caps to his name and a goal against England.

Robert Snodgrass

It would have been a trio of Hull City players, but for Robert Snodgrass’ £10 million switch to West Ham United in January. The Glasgow-born winger had a terrific half season in East Yorkshire, scoring or assisting half of all the Tigers goals. Snodgrass is a Celtic fan but has never played for the Bhoys, Livingston and Stirling Albion his only previous Scottish clubs.

Read: Scotland’s 2022 starting XI according to Football Manager 2017

James McArthur

A 2013 FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, James McArthur is a very capable Premier League midfielder who has won 27 caps for Scotland. The 29-year-old previously played for Hamilton Academical but now stars for Crystal Palace. A Rangers fan, McArthur recently said he dreams of playing for the Gers, and he may well get his wish towards the end of his career.

James McCarthy

James McCarthy in action for the Republic of Ireland

Both called James, both central midfielders, both born in Glasgow and both formerly of Wigan Athletic. Partnering McArthur in the middle of the park is Everton ace James McCarthy. The 26-year-old who represents Ireland internationally is a Celtic fan but was turned down by the Bhoys as a youngster.

Aiden McGeady

Another Irish international who was born in Glasgow, Aiden McGeady was a hugely promising youngster who’s career probably hasn’t been as illustrious as many expected. The 30-year-old was a star man for Celtic at a young age, before departing for £9.5 million in 2010. Now on the books at Everton, McGeady is currently impressing out on-loan at Preston North End.

Read: Famous father of Rangers midfielder takes aim at ‘Celtic fan’ Chris Sutton

Paul Gallagher

Paul Gallagher has won just 1 cap for the Scottish national team, coming well over a decade ago, but the 32-year-old’s form at times in the last couple of seasons has probably warranted a recall. Having joined Preston North End from Premier League champions Leicester City in 2015, the attacking midfielder has often been Preston’s talisman, and deserves his place in this XI.

Ross McCormack

Ross McCormack during his time at Rangers

The only player in this XI to have ever turned out for Rangers, Ross McCormack came through the ranks at Ibrox but left the club in 2006 for Motherwell after just 14 outings. He has since become one of the most prolific players in England’s second tier and has racked up transfer fees in excess of £23 million. He currently plays for Nottingham Forest on-loan from Aston Villa.