St. Andrew’s Day: the Stadium of Light’s Sunderland Scottish XI - who makes the team?

GK: Craig Gordon

Whilst last season’s Jon McLaughlin may have challenged the £9m goalkeeper, there really can be no debate about who our number one should be.

Gordon was a superb shot-stopper, his mind-blowing save at home to Bolton Wanderers being deservedly voted the greatest save in Premier League history.

Had Gordon managed to sort out his injury issues during his time on Wearside, he could have been even better and held in even higher regard than he already is.

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RB: Alan Hutton

He was only here for six months, but the former Rangers man slots into our back three for his impressive performances during his loan spell at the club.

Arriving at Wearside hoping to revive his career, he performed that well that Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy demanded we pay £9m to secure his services permanently, a fee which angered Hutton so much, he headbutted Jozy Altidore in his final appearance for the club.

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CB: Steve Caldwell

He may be remembered for being part of the back four that went down with a record low points total, but it’s worth remembering how good our former captain was in getting us to the Premier League in the first place.

Brought in on a free transfer from Newcastle United, Caldwell formed part of an impressive defensive partnership with Gary Breen as Mick McCarthy’s side won the 2005 Championship title.

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LB: Phil Bardsley

Everyone loves Bardo, don’t they? A man best remembered for creating absolute chaos in the Sunderland away end as he hit a last minute goal in the League Cup Semi-Final.

Consistent, uncompromising and red and white through and through, Bardsley consistently fought off competition from other full-backs at the club and was a core member of numerous good squads during his time on Wearside.

Paolo Di Canio may disagree, but Bardo is one of the first names on our team-sheet.

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RM: Ross Wallace

Brought in amongst a flurry of deadline day transfers by former team-mate Roy Keane, the Dundee born winger was a hugely likeable character during his time on Wearside.

He had a penchant for last minute winners that required him to remove his shirt, which didn’t go down to well with the boss, but it was also one of the reasons the diminutive winger was so well liked here.

Talented, passionate and tricky, Wallace takes the right-wing berth.

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CM: Alex Rae

Alex Rae is, and always will be, a cult-hero on Wearside. Our first ever £1m signing, the Glasgow born midfielder formed part of numerous fantastic midfield partnerships alongside Kevin Ball, Lee Clark and Stefan Schwarz.

He had a fiery temper and loved a good on pitch argument, but he gets into our Scottish XI based on the fact he oozed quality with the ball at his feet.

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CM: Don Hutchison

Born in Gateshead he may have been, but big Don is a hero on both sides of the border.

Qualifying for Scotland via his Father, Hutchison was sheer quality and had an ability to score hugely important goals.

Adept at playing in a number of positions, he is best remembered in Scotland for his winner at Wembley vs England - he’s equally adored on Wearside for his equalising strike and subsequent celebrations at St. James Park.

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LM: Allan Johnston

In my humble opinion ‘Magic’ Johnston was the most talented winger to ever grace the Stadium of Light and walks into this team with consummate ease.

Although he was mainly right-footed, the former Hearts winger was fantastic on the opposite flank, building up a telepathic partnership with local lad Mickey Gray that was simply far too good for the level they played at.

Fans often wonder how good Johnston could have been had he decided to sign a contract and not sit out the entirely of Sunderland 99/00 campaign.

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CAM: Chris Maguire

He may not be covering himself in glory at the moment, but when on form, Chris Maguire is one of the more likeable and talented Scottish players the club has had.

Capable of some sublime strikes, if Maguire showed that level of form on a consistent basis, he’d be playing at a far higher level than what he is currently.

His level of shithousery, in particular against Portsmouth last campaign, just edge him into this XI in the ten role.

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CF: Steven Fletcher

‘Fletch’ was a strange one.

Bought for big money, he originally looked worth every single penny, but struggled once Martin O’Neill departed and only seemed to reignite when games against Newcastle came around.

However, launching Steven Taylor directly into a post and scoring one of the Stadium of Light’s most memorable goals mean our former number nine gets the nod in this Scottish XI.

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CF: Kevin Kyle

Big Kyler is as Scottish as they come, built with Buckfast girders and all the strength of an Irn-Bru energy drink, Kevin Kyle deservedly walks into our Scottish XI.

Remembered in rather unfair terms by a section of the fan-base, the Stranraer target man was a key performer in Mick McCarthy’s side that reached the FA Cup Semi-Finals and finished third place in the Championship - not an easy feat when you remember the low ebb in which the season began.

Scorer of some fantastic headers in that season, not many would enjoy facing the brute strength of Kyle.

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