Top Goal Scorers For Scotland Football Team All-Time: Scotland has a long history of producing excellent soccer players, especially strikers. Famous names like Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish have made Scotland proud with their goal-scoring abilities.
Top Goal Scorers For Scotland Football Team All-Time
In this article, we’ll explore the leading goal scorers for the Scotland national football team throughout history.
1. Denis Law
- Career Span: 1958–1974
- Matches: 55
- Goals: 30
- Average: 0.545
Denis Law is the top goal scorer for the Scotland football team of all time. In 1973, when Scotland needed to qualify for the World Cup, even though Law was considered too old, manager Willie Ormond brought him back. Law appreciated the trust placed in him and led his team to a crucial 2-1 victory against CSSR. In the World Cup in Germany, he played his 55th and final match for Scotland, helping them win 2-0 against Zaire. He shares the record of 30 goals with Kenny Dalglish.
Today, Denis Law works as a co-commentator on television and radio. He was honored in the 2016 New Year Honors when Queen Elizabeth II appointed him Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Additionally, in 2002, he was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.
2. Kenny Dalglish
- Career Span: 1971–1986
- Matches: 102
- Goals: 30
- Average: 0.294
Kenny Dalglish is the second-highest goal scorer for the Scotland football team. He began his international career at the age of 20 in 1971 against Belgium at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium. In the 1974 World Cup, although Scotland didn’t lose any group games in Germany, they had to go home early, finishing third behind Brazil and Yugoslavia. Dalglish played in all three games but didn’t manage to score. However, he became a hero for Scottish fans by scoring crucial goals against England, defeating them at Hampden Park (2-1) and at Wembley Stadium in 1977 (2-1).
In the 1978 World Cup, Dalglish played again, but Scotland couldn’t meet the high expectations. They only secured one win against the Netherlands, with Dalglish scoring a goal (final score 3-2). He also played in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, scoring in the opening game against New Zealand (5-2 win). Despite his efforts, Scotland didn’t advance past the preliminary round.
Dalglish’s international career ended after 102 appearances and 30 goals, making him the record national player in terms of appearances and joint top scorer with Denis Law. He played his last game for the national team on November 12, 1986, exactly 15 years after his debut, at the age of 35.
3. Hughie Gallacher
- Career Span: 1924–1935
- Matches: 20
- Goals: 24
- Average: 1.2
Hughie Gallacher is the third-highest goal scorer for Scotland. Despite his small stature, he was strong and talented, but he had a reputation for being arrogant and hot-tempered. He represented Scotland 20 times and scored 24 goals, averaging more than one goal per game.
Tragically, Gallacher’s life ended in 1957 when he committed suicide on train tracks in Gateshead. He was facing allegations of mistreating his son, and he was supposed to appear in court the next day.
4. Lawrie Reilly
- Career Span: 1948–1957
- Matches: 38
- Goals: 22
- Average: 0.579
Lawrie Reilly is the fourth-highest goal scorer for the Scotland football team, having earned 38 caps for the national team. He also holds the record for the most international appearances during his time with Hibs.
Reilly made his debut for the national team in a 3-1 win against Wales on October 23, 1948. One of his notable performances was in a 2-2 draw against England on April 18, 1953. Reilly scored both goals for Scotland, and his second goal, which came in the very last minute to equalize, earned him the nickname “Last Minute Reilly.” Unfortunately, he missed the 1954 World Cup due to pleurisy.
5. Ally McCoist
- Career Span: 1986–1998
- Matches: 61
- Goals: 19
- Average: 0.311
Ally McCoist is the fifth-highest goal scorer for the Scotland football team. He started his professional career with FC St. Johnstone in 1978, where he became the top scorer with 22 goals in his third season. After a stint with AFC Sunderland in England, he returned to Scotland in 1983 and joined Glasgow Rangers.
During his time with Rangers, McCoist enjoyed immense success, winning ten championship titles and one cup. He was named Scotland’s Footballer of the Year in 1992. He remains Rangers’ top goal scorer with 251 goals in 418 games and is Scotland’s fifth-highest scorer with 19 goals in 61 appearances, including his performances in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. McCoist later ended his career at Kilmarnock FC.
