Best-Ever Celtic Premiership XI (4-4-2 Formation) Source: goal.com
Goalkeeper: Shay Given
Republic of Ireland international Shay Given has been one of the best keepers in the Premiership for the past decade. His reliability between the sticks and superb reflexes have led to 80 caps for Ireland as well as making him a regular for Newcastle.
He has been named in two Premiership teams of the year (2001-02 and 2005-06) and continues to provide a tremendous last line of defence for club and country.
Right Back: Steve Finnan
Republic of Ireland right back Steve Finnan has emerged as one of the Premiership’s best young defenders with consistent performances for both Ireland and Liverpool. He was a key player in Fulham’s rise to the top flight and was named in the Premiership team of the year in 2001-02 before moving to Liverpool.
After cementing a regular starting place at Anfield Finnan has picked up Champions League and FA Cup Winner’s medals along with runners-up medals in the League Cup and Champions League. He has a bright career ahead of him and looks set to add to an already impressive medal haul.
Central Defender: Colin Hendry
Scottish defender Colin Hendry was part of the Blackburn Rovers side who won the Premiership in 1994-95. He was a solid centre-back for seven seasons at Ewood Park before making a big-money move north of the border to join Rangers in 1998.
He was capped 51 times by Scotland, giving him membership in the Tartan Army’s hall of fame (he, along with 23 others have been capped more than 50 times for the national team). He later played for Bolton Wanderers in the Premiership, but will be remembered for his successful spell at Blackburn.
Central Defender: Paul McGrath
Irish defender Paul McGrath was one of the early stars of the Premiership where he enjoyed success with Aston Villa towards the end of a career blighted by injury and of-the-field problems.
McGrath was named PFA Player of the Year in the Premier League’s inaugural season after helping Villa to second spot in the league. He went on to win two League Cup’s with the Villains before ending his career after spells at Derby and Sheffield United. He earned 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland and is considered one of the greatest players in Villa’s history.
Left Back: Denis Irwin
Former Manchester United full-back Denis Irwin is another Republic of Ireland name to make it into the defence. Irwin was one of the key men in United’s success throughout the nineties and was often deployed at either right or left-back.
Irwin won seven Premier League titles at Old Trafford, along with three FA Cups and the Champions League. He was also a free-kick expert and weighed in with his fair share of goals from defence.
Right Midfielder: Gary Speed
Despite being left-footed Speed takes up the right midfield spot in this team due to the quality around him. The Welshman has been one of the league’s most consistent performers and currently holds the record for most Premiership appearances.
Speed and fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs are the only two players to have scored in every Premiership season. Speed has enjoyed success at Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton Wanderers as well as the Welsh national team for whom he has been capped 85 times.
Central Midfielder: Gary McAllister
Midfielder Gary McAllister is another member of the Scotland Hall of Fame having being capped 57 times for the national team. He was a regular for Leeds United in the early Premiership years, before moving to Coventry City and then Liverpool, where he produced arguably the best football of his career.
His ability on the ball and precision in front of goal made him a vital member of each team he played for. Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier described him as his “most inspirational signing” after the 35-year-old McAllister inspired Liverpool to the League, FA and Uefa Cup’s in the 2000-01 season.
Central Midfielder: Roy Keane
Up there with the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Eric Cantona, Roy Keane was one of the most influential players of the Premiership era. Keane was an integral part of the success achieved by Manchester United from his arrival at Old Trafford in 1993 until his move to Celtic in 2005.
He won the league on seven occasions along with lifting four FA Cups whilst with the Red Devils. He was named PFA Player of the year in 2000 and was also capped 66 times for the Republic of Ireland.
An often controversial figure, Keane will be remembered as one of the best midfielders English football has ever witnessed. A tireless worker and a fantastic tackler coupled with an exceptional desire to win made Keane the complete midfielder.
Left Midfielder: Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is the most successful player to ever play in the Premiership. He has figured in all nine of Manchester United’s title triumphs, won the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the Champions League once. He looks set to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s United appearance record this season and is already an Old Trafford legend.
Giggs’ speed, intelligence and technical ability set him apart as easily the best left winger to grace the Premiership. He has also scored some spectacular goals down the years and nobody could forget the fantastic FA Cup Semi-Final strike against Arsenal in 1999 which kept United’s treble dreams alive.
Forward: Robbie Keane
Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has not always been given the opportunities that his ability has undoubtedly deserved. But Keane has proven himself to be a fantastic professional and has continued to find the net for Spurs with great regularity.
He has been capped 72 times for Ireland, finding the net 29 times and also boasts an impressive strike-rate in the Premiership having scored 12 times in 31 appearances for Coventry City, 13 times from 46 games for Leeds United and 65 times from 162 games for Spurs.
Forward: Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes was another early Premiership star and was well known for his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into the game just as much as his superb agility and ability to score spectacular goals.
Hughes was part of Manchester United’s first two Premiership-winning sides, before moving to Chelsea where he picked up FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners Cup Winners medals. He finished his career at Blackburn Rovers where he picked up another League Cup after spells with Southampton and Everton.