On this St. Andrews Day we take a look at Five Scotsmen to play for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. The only criteria here is that the player has appeared for Rovers during their time in the Premier League and that they are Scottish. The list is made up of a Scotland football legend, an often forgotten yet crucial element to the team of the 90's, a youngster that perhaps was allowed to leave too soon, a charismatic striker who wasn't around for long and our current club Captain.
1. "A Scottish Football Legend"
Colin Hendry made over 330 appearances for Rovers during two spells at the club in the late 80's and through the 90's. Signed for £700,000 from Manchester City in his second spell Hendry was mainstay of the Dalglish Premier League winning side of the 1994-95 season with 40 league appearances during the season and contributing four goals, such was his aerial threat in the opposition box. Having been at the club for almost ten years in all he is a firm fans favourite and will always be remembered for commanding performances in defence when we lifted the Premier League trophy. The former Rangers, City and Coventry centre back played over 50 times for his country and the pinnacle was captaining the Scots at the 1998 World Cup in France, a true legend for both Scotland and Blackburn Rovers.
2. "An often forgotten yet crucial element to the team of the 90's"
Kevin Gallacher is synonymous with Blackburn Rovers both in his career on the pitch and now in his career off the pitch. A real fans favourite the hard working Scot is often overlooked when considering important players of the 90's but never by Rovers fans. Overcoming two leg breaks he showed tremendous courage in his fight back to full fitness with his most dominant spell coming between 1996 and 1998 when he scored 26 league goals in 67 appearances to first help Rovers avoid relegation and then propel them to a 6th place finish the following season. Throughout his seven years at the club Gallacher can never be accused of not giving his all and his continuing involvement around the club despite making his last appearance 15 years ago shows how much he enjoyed his spell at the club too.
3. "A youngster that was allowed to leave too soon"
Paul Gallagher is a player many Rovers fans would loved to have seen back at the club following their relegation and perhaps he was allowed to leave before he fulfilled his true potential. Gallagher always looked highly talented and was well thought of my everyone at the club. The fact that he had four managers during his time at the club meant it was difficult for him to settle but three impressive seasons in the Premier League and always displaying talent when on loan Gallagher was a victim of instability behind the scenes which allowed him to slip through the net at Ewood Park. A product of the Blackburn Youth system and a Scotland cap in recognition of him impressive 2003-04 season with Rovers he will be remembered with fondness and thoughts of what could have been.
4. "A charismatic striker who wasn't around for long"
Paul Dickov was only at Blackburn for a short spell towards the end of his journeyman career. Approaching 32 years old when he signed for the club, Mark Hughes felt the guile and experience of the Scot would benefit the clubs young strike force with the likes of Matt Derbyshire, Jon Stead and Matt Jansen finding their feet. In his first season, 2004-05, Dickov made 29 appearances and was the top scorer for the season as Rovers finished 15th in the Premier League and reached the semi finals of the FA Cup where they ran into eventual winners Arsenal. Injury and the signings of Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi meant that opportunities were limited for the small Scot with just four goals in 18 league appearances the following season. With over 50 appearances and 17 goals for Rovers he was an important Scotsman at a time of transition.
5. "Our current Club Captain"
Grant Hanley currently has 19 international caps for Scotland, at just 24 years old and currently playing outside of the top flight shows the pedigree he has and how highly thought of he is amongst the Scotland International set up. Now in his fifth season as a senior pro at Ewood the Skipper has racked up over 150 appearances and has been a integral in the seasons since our relegation providing important stability in defence. Hanley has had the opportunity to learn from the likes of Chris Samba and Ryan Nelson so even though he is not blessed with great pace he can read the game well, learning all the time and still in the early period of his career. With the January transfer window coming fast, fellow Scots Paul Lambert and Alan Irvine will hope they can keep hold of the rock at the back that is Grant Hanley.
