Andy Aitken (1895/96 to 1907/08)

Andy Aitken came from the Land of Burns, being a native of Ayr, and represented Scotland for ten years in succession, a higher tribute to his ability could not be paid. He exhibited the best traditions of a country which had produced some of the greatest players the game had known and was one of their cleverest ever right-half-backs up until the First World War.

An extremely versatile player Andy played in every position at one time apart from left-full-back and goalkeeper. his talents were greatly developed at Newcastle and he rendered yeoman service as player and captain.

”Daddler” was a great tactician in defence and a splendid spoiler of opposing forwards; partly by virtue of his quickness in grasping a situation and to his immediate decisions as to his action.

A bustling type who was sharp on the ball, he seemed to get far more kicks than most of the players. He was a grand tackler, good placer, had awesome heading power and exhibited a capital shot.

Possessing all-round athleticism, he was an untiring worker who was here, there and everywhere.

Andy was not a ‘showy’ half; he was a hard, plodding player, who depended more on anticipating a player’s movements than on pace.

He won 14 Scottish caps in total and captained Scotland on the fatal field at Ibrox Park in 1902.