Jim Baxter

Slim Jim — arguably the most naturally gifted Scottish footballer of the twentieth century, a left-sided midfielder of such elegance, vision and technical quality that supporters who watched him play still describe performances 60 years later with specific, vivid detail. His nutmegging of the ball in the final minutes of Scotland's 3-2 victory over world champions England in 1967 — treating Wembley as a playground — is the defining image of Scottish football's relationship with its southern neighbour. Two Scottish league titles and two Scottish Cups with Rangers, limited by the era's restrictions on European competition from showing his quality on the continent's biggest stages.

Football at the highest level rewards technical mastery, physical conditioning and the mental fortitude to perform consistently across a long and unrelenting career. Career highlights included Scottish League 3x, Scottish Cup 6x, 34 Scotland caps. The dedication required to reach elite level in football and sustain that performance over many seasons is rarely appreciated, yet Jim's career record speaks precisely to that kind of exceptional commitment. Few athletes in football have combined consistency and peak performance as effectively, and across such an extended period, as Jim managed throughout his career. The standard Jim Baxter set across his career in football reflects the level of preparation, tactical intelligence and competitive focus that consistently separates the truly elite from the rest of the field. The dedication required to perform consistently in football at international level defined every aspect of Jim Baxter's approach to the sport.

• Scottish League 3x
• Scottish Cup 6x
• 34 Scotland caps