With the Old Firm game taking place this weekend, we thought we would take a look at Ayrshire's most famous Celtic and Rangers stars.
Here is our top 11. Did we miss anyone out? Let us know.
1. Peter McCloy (Rangers)
Born Girvan, 1946
Goalkeeper McCloy was a mainstay of the Rangers team from 1970 to 1986, during which time he helped them win the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972. At Ibrox, he was nicknamed The Girvan Lighthouse.
2. Eric Caldow (Rangers)
Born Cumnock 1934
Defender Caldow signed for Rangers in 1952 and stayed until 1966. One of the greats of his era, he captained both his club and Scotland, with whom he gained 40 caps. He died in 2019, aged 84.
3. Roy Aitken (Celtic)
Born Irvine, 1958
Big Roy grew up in Ardrossan. The defender and midfielder broke into the Celtic squad in 1975 and later became captain, Nicknamed The Bear, he played a key role in their double winning season in 1987/88 and made the third most appearances in the club’s history. Played for Scotland at two World Cups, captaining the team in 1990.
4. Kirk Broadfoot (Rangers)
Born Irvine 1984
Defender Broadfoot signed for Rangers in 2007 and played a significant role in the club’s march to the UEFA Cup final in 2008. He’s still playing today, now for Kilmarnock.
5. James Forrest (Celtic)
Born Prestwick 1991
The current Celtic winger was first scouted for the club while playing for South Ayr Boys. After a promising youth career with the club, he went professional in 2010 and has since made more than 400 appearances, scoring 90 goals. He’s also racked up 35 Scotland caps.
6. Gordon Smith (Rangers)
Born Kilwinning 1954
Smith joined the Gers from Kilmarnock in 1977 as a striker/midfielder and played for the club for three years. He later became an agent, before being appointed Chief Executive of the SFA in 2007. He later became Rangers director of football in 2011.
7. Lou Macari (Celtic)
Born Edinburgh 1949
Midfielder Macari spent most of his early years in Largs, signing for Celtic in 1966 where he became a part of the legendary Quality Street Gang, playing for the reserves alongside Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain. On leaving the Celts in 1973, he joined Manchester United, where he spent 11 years. He won 24 Scottish caps.
8. Craig Burley (Celtic)
Born Ayr, 1971
Midfielder Burley was a Cumnock man, nephew of future Scotland boss George Burley, who signed for Chelsea as a youngster, making 113 appearances until 1997 when he signed for Celtic. His goal against Norway in the 1998 World Cup group stages was the last goal scored by a Scotland player in a major tournament. He’s now a pundit for ESPN in the USA.
9. Steven Naismith (Rangers)
Born Irvine 1986
Attacking midfielder and forward Naismith was brought up in Stewarton and signed for Rangers in 2007, where he made 98 appearances, scoring 28 goals. He left in 2012 and spent four years at Everton. He’s still playing with Hearts and has racked up 51 Scottish caps.
10. Bobby Lennox (Celtic)
Born Saltcoats, 1943
Striker Lennox was a key member of the Lisbon Lions who won the European Cup in 1967. He remains Celtic’s second highest all time goalscorer with 336. He stayed with the club from 1961 to 1978, left for a few months to join Houston Hurricane, then returned to finish his career at Parkhead. A statue of him now stands in Saltcoats Town Centre.
11. Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Born Irvine 1983
Boyd grew up in Tarbolton and joined Kilmarnock in 2001. The striker scored 63 goals with the Ayrshire club and was snapped up by Rangers in 2006, remaining there until 2010 scoring another 143 goals. He ended his career where he began – at Kilmarnock.
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