The English league has always had close ties with Scottish players and managers, in the past great managers like Bill Shankly, Sir Matt Busby, Tommy Doherty and players like Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Dennis Law have all graced the English league. It seems at this current moment a Scottish contingent have again placed a mantle on the Premiership, obviously the first name on the list is the most successful manager in English history, that is Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. He has been Manchester Utd manager for 21 years and has won 9 League titles, 5 F.A Cups, 1 European Cup, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Super Cup and 2 League Cups for the club. The man is a living legend and his C.V speaks volumes for what he has done for the English league, in the 1185 games in charge he has won 686 of them, that is a 57.89% win ration which no one can better in the world. He is not the only Scottish manager in the Premiership that is taking a club forward. Everton have been making steady progress under him and are now a real force in the league, which no club wants to face at their home ground. This all goes down to David Moyes who is the third longest serving manager in the Premiership at this current moment. He has guided the club into Europe twice in his time there and is introducing youth from the academy in the eyes of Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan. The future is looking very good for Everton, they are big, they are strong and with a dogged determination it looks like silverware will be coming to Goodison Park sooner rather than later.

Another addition to the Premiership is the new Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish, a former Scottish international and Aberdeen defender, during his time there he was managed by Sir Alex Ferguson. Before his appointment with Birmingham he was Scotland manager, who were piped at the post by Italy in European qualification. He also managed Rangers to the Quarter finals of the champions league two seasons ago, the best run in their history. He has a good pedigree and will no doubt have backing from the Mr Gould and Mr Sullivan, the Birmingham board, this has already been shown with the signing of James McFadden who was Scotland’s best performer during their Euro qualification campaign. He likes his teams to show commitment and give their all to the cause, which is certainly a major benefit when playing in the fast and furious Premiership. This will be another team that will be improving over the next couple of seasons and will have many onlookers interested in the development of the team.

With Scotland producing another crop of good young players and their managers plying a good trade in the English league the question should be asked, how do they produce this with such a small population when compared to England. Scottish players and managers bring a certain passion and work ethic to the game that could only be deemed as inspiring, what is lacking is made up with tenacity, bravery and down right stubbornness. Maybe the English should start to look north of the border when it comes to getting the best of them selves including players, managers and fans alike.