A red-top article earlier this week told us that a St Mirren side which suffered relegation in 2015 now has collectively more caps than the immortal Lisbon lions, and incidentally happy birthday to Willie Wallace!

That’s quite a stat and I have no idea how accurate it is (it’s accurate), but it’s one that I’m inclined to believe, sadly, and it tells you more of how those in charge were of a particular ‘mind’ back then.

I know there are more internationals getting played in the modern game and the calibre of player is not the same quality as there was back in the 1960s and 70s, but for Scotland’s greatest club side to have earned such few caps between them is a disgrace.

Players such as John McGinn and Kenny McLean are decent players, but don’t have an ounce of the talent that the Lisbon lions were blessed with, not even in the same league.

It’s not just the mentioned players who have added more caps to their collection than the likes of Jimmy Johnstone and Bertie Auld, there is a whole host of players who have earned more international caps for Scotland that are not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Scotland’s greatest club side.

Back then it is suggested that players were picked or denied the chance of being selected for their country due to their club alliances, and stats such as this back it up.

Unfortunately we still have the same ignorance in our game, even at a high level, but it’s not as widespread and players are now picked on merit rather not their ‘alliances’

Unfortunately it’s a case what could have been for Scotland and the Lisbon lions. It’s nothing short of a disgrace the way they were treated by the Scottish FA back then.

The 11 Lisbon Lions accumulated a grand total of only 113 Scotland caps, while three Rangers players from a similar era – John Greig, Jim Baxter and Sandy Jardine – had 116 between them.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE! 

The Celtic Star’s book promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!