Despite being ridiculed in some quarters, it seems Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s suggestion of a Premier League all-star game could be a goer.
The American bought the Stamford Bridge club from Roman Abramovich in the summer and has already shared some of his ideas over how to make the English top flight more American. One of those was a ‘north vs south’ all star game which would see the cream of the division’s clubs face off against each other. Plenty were quick to mock the proposal, but now it seems a version of it is gathering momentum.
The Times reports that Premier League bosses are discussing the possibility of an all-star game. However, rather than a geographical divide within England, their preference would be for a league select to take on counterparts from La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga. These would take place during summer or winter breaks and be staged around the world in order to tap into “developing markets.” A similar game already takes place across the pond, with the best of the MLS facing stars from Mexico.
Boehly's north vs south idea got Record Sport thinking about what an SPFL all-star east v west XI from either side of Scotland might look like. On one side we have Hearts, Hibs, Livingston, St Johnstone, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Ross County. And on the other champions Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell, St Mirren and Kilmarnock. To that end, we’ve put together our Scottish Premiership all-star sides from east and west. But who would win?
East XI (Ross Pilcher)
Craig Gordon
The only real one choice for number one. The Hearts captain keeps getting better with age and said this week he wants to still be Scotland No.1 at the age of 41 in a little under two years’ time. Gordon was the top Tynecastle performer last season and swept the board when it came to club awards. There’s been no sign of him slowing down this season. He proved he’s better than ever with yet another top display for Scotland against Ukraine and continues to pull off stunning saves between the sticks for the Jambos as they battle on two fronts this season.
Chris Cadden
A consistent performer in what was a miserable campaign for the Hibees last season. Cadden can play in midfield, but has found a home on the right hand hand side at Easter Road, either at full back or wing back. A great engine, Cadden will get up and down the pitch all day. Decent delivery from the right would provide opportunities for the front players and he's shown he can chip in with goals himself as well.
Ryan Porteous
The name on everybody's lips this week after an excellent debut for Scotland against Ukraine. Porteous is Hibs' first choice centre back having usurped Paul Hanlon as the senior member of the back four. Strong in the air and in the tackle, Porteous can play as well as get stuck in. Like most centre backs playing in Scotland, has a mistake in him but is continuing to improve on that front and could prove difficult for the capital club to hang on to with his contract up in the summer.
Craig Halkett
A model of consistency at the back for Hearts and had arguably become their most important central defender even before John Souttar left for Rangers. Dominant in the air and good at reading the game, Halkett is a powerful opponent for strikers to try to get the better of, and not many do. Started his youth career as a striker at Rangers and before last term, was a regular on the scoresheet. Those early days up front are still evident at times, with Halkett often showing impressive reactions at the other end of the pitch that you don't often see from other centre halves.
Stephen Kingsley
The Hearts defender made his return to the international stage during the week after six years away. Utilised at left centre back or wing back by the Jambos, Kingsley is equally at home playing as a full back too. His form over the past year for the capital club has been exemplary and is one of the first names on the Tynecastle team sheet. Kingsley’s delivery from the left is excellent, but he’s contributed plenty of goals as well, getting on the end of set pieces as well as being a specialist at finding the net from them.
Beni Baningime
Won't be back in action until the New Year after a serious knee injury, but the former Everton man has been a fine addition to the Tynecastle squad. Tireless in the middle of the park, Baningime is seemingly everywhere in maroon, snuffing out danger and winning the ball back. He can use it too. Adept at avoiding the attentions of those trying to close him down and whilst not often finding the net, showed before his injury that he can arrive in the box and chip in from time to time.
Connor Barron
For all Aberdeen's recruitment under Jim Goodwin, it's one of their homegrown stars that makes our cut for the East select. Barron was excellent before suffering an injury towards the end of last season and had Celtic monitoring his progress. Cultured and creative in possession, Barron can do the other side of the game as well when the Dons don't have possession. Has limitless potential but even at such a young age, has shown he belongs in the Scottish top flight and will only get better.
Dylan Levitt
Dundee United may be propping up the table, but they have a potential star in Dylan Levitt. You don't start your career at Manchester United by accident, and the Welshman signing for United in a permanent basis was something of a coup for the Tannadice club. Good feet and ability to beat a man, Levitt showcased those skills with a wonderful solo goal against Hearts last season. An ability to get forward from midfield and make things happen in the final third is valuable to any team, and would provide that in what is a balanced east coast engine room.
Martin Boyle
Marked his return to Hibs with a last-gasp equaliser against Hearts, highlighting just how key his goals are to Hibs. Was their top scorer when he left last January and still was when the season ended. Boyle has pace that few in the Premiership can live with. Effective out wide or playing through the middle, he’s more than just a speed merchant. Wins enough penalties and more often than not converts them himself.
Barrie McKay
Was rewarded alongside club teammate Kingsley with an international recall this week and rightly so. The former Rangers man has been the creative spark at Tynecastle since arriving on a free last September. Took a while to start scoring last term, but has already matched his total already. Glides across the park as he drifts past players and is one of the best in the league in an attacking sense.
Bojan Miovski
Was a toss up between the Macedonian and Lawrence Shankland, but the Aberdeen striker just gets the nod. Both have scored the same number of goals, with Miovski benefiting from his involvement in the Premier Sports Cup while Shankland has European games to help bolster his tally. The Pittodrie number nine has hit the ground running in his new surroundings, ousting Christian Ramirez from the Dons forward line. Provides a focal point for their attack and can hold the ball up as well as regularly sticking it in the onion bag.
West XI (Gavin Berry)
Joe Hart
Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t even know who his best keeper with much debate over that position this season but Ange Postecoglou isn’t in any doubt. The former England No. 1 has been one the Aussie’s most crucial signings. Allan McGregor looks to have won back the gloves thanks to his display against Napoli when he stepped in for the injured Jon McLaughlin but it’s too early for him to get his place in this side while Motherwell's Liam Kelly would also be challenging.
Josip Juranovic
Faces strong competition from James Tavernier, but the Croat has been consistently good since arriving from Poland last summer. The right back’s performances have attracted interest from across Europe, with the likes of Atletico Madrid and Manchester United linked. Comfortable on the left hand side as well, Juranovic’s versatility is a useful weapon to have in the arsenal. Ice cool from the penalty spot as well, he’s got all the tools you want in a modern full back.
Connor Goldson
The Rangers centre back surprised many when he opted to pen a new four-year deal at Ibrox. He was expected to return to England on a free but opted to commit his future to the Scottish Cup winners, to the delight of their fans. Rarely injured, Goldson has clocked up the games in light blue and has been a model of consistency. Strong in the air and physically imposing, Goldson is a threat at the other end as well, chipping in with his fair share of goals from the back. He’s not been in top form so far this season but easily has enough credit in the bank to win a place in our all-star side.
Cameron Carter-Vickers
The American was Celtic’s top transfer priority in the summer alongside Jota. A highly successful loan from Tottenham Hotspur was made permanent and he’s picked up where he left off last season. The senior member of Postecoglou’s back line despite only being in his mid-twenties, he’d cut a similarly imposing figure alongside Goldson. Able to play from the back and possesses the pace that allows him to snuff out any threats Celtic face domestically.
Borna Barisic
Greg Taylor has had a storming start to the season in a position that has been a problem for Celtic in recent years. But Barisic has managed to show flashes of his old self for the Ibrox side, even during dire performances such as the 4-0 drubbings at Parkhead and against Ajax. He’s also managed to keep expensive summer signing Ridvan Yilmaz out of Rangers’ starting XI.
Callum McGregor
The Celtic skipper has filled Scott Brown’s shoes with aplomb. A different style from his predecessor, McGregor’s ability to take the ball in tight situations and pick passes is a big part of how Postecoglou’s side play. Like Goldson at the back, is seldom missing through injury and has the engine to cover the grass out of possession as well. An even temperament, his influence on those around him is just as valuable as what he does on the ball himself. An easy pick.
John Lundstram
After a sticky start to his Rangers career, the Scouser has stepped it up and is now a regular under van Bronckhorst. Was a driving force behind the run to the Europa League Final and comes up with big goals at big moments. Can do the other side as well, getting a foot in and breaking up play. Lundstram isn’t shy of a tackle either and helps add steel to the engine room.
Matt O’Riley
The former MK Dons man was something of an under-the-radar arrival at Celtic last January, but he’s established himself as one of Postecoglou’s main men in midfield. Good feet, incisive passing and an eye for goal have seen O’Riley earn Under 21 international recognition with Denmark and a slew of Premier League scouts watching him as he continues to impress despite his young age. Might have to be move from his natural position to make it into the line-up.
Reo Hatate
His World Cup dream might be hanging in the balance but there is no doubting his value to Ange Postecoglou. The 24-year-old has been outstanding since his £1.4million arrival last January but without getting the same kind of Headlines as compatriot Kyogo. One look at his sweeping ball in the Madrid game tells you all you need to know about this star.
Jota
It dragged on a bit, but the Portuguese finally became a fully fledged Celt in the summer after signing on loan from Benfica last season. And he looks like he could surpass his achievements of last term already. Fans are on the edge of their seats when he’s on the ball and is a major creative influence. Scores goals as well as creating them, and his intelligent movement saw him score a delightful chip in Celtic’s most recent demolition of Rangers.
Kyogo
The Japanese star was on fire before a troublesome hamstring injury curtailed his goal scoring exploits last season. However, he’s nailed on to be up near the top of the scoring charts this term should he stay fit. Has that vital knack of being in the right place at the right time and is a nightmare to keep tabs on for defenders. Scores a variety of goals and is much more than just a fox in the box. Dutchman Kevin van Veen has netted seven goals for Motherwell this season but it's a tough task for any non-Old Firm player to edge out starts from the Big Two.
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