All Time XI: Italians in Scotland

The links between Scotland and Italy go back to at least Roman times but were truly forged by mass emigration north in the early part of the 20th Century. It would be some time later, however, that footballers would start to follow in the footsteps of those intrepid pioneers who had often made a living selling fish and chips and ice cream to the local populace. Like their countrymen, though, they would add more than a little flavour to their new home.

Most of them, in truth, made relatively fleeting appearances in the Scottish top division – and below – although a few did make more lasting contributions. One thing which could not be disputed, however, is how memorable their times proved to be. Many clubs still talk of their Italian acquisitions with a mix of nostalgia, disbelief and wonder to this day.

A large number landed at the Old Firm at a time when they were splashing the cash like crazy but their influence also filtered out across the country. Hamilton, Dundee, Kilmarnock and Paisley – among others – enjoyed a little sprinkling of Italian stardust like Parmesan cheese on their pasta. Outspoken, talented, temperamental and tactically-astute, they were almost always eminently watchable during their time in Scotland, however short it might have been.

Picking an all-time XI is always a hard task but it was particularly so with this side in order to come up with a credible formation while balancing both a player’s reputation and the scale of his impact on the Scottish game. Some of these stars were but a flash in the fish-frying pan while others left a more lasting impression, like the chocolate flake in your ice cream cone. What cannot be disputed, however, is that this team would surely be a lot of fun to watch.

Goalkeeper: Rolando Ugolini (Celtic, Dundee Utd and Berwick Rangers, 1944-63)

Born in Lucca but raised in Scotland, he would become a hero at Middlesbrough but played two spells north of the border more than a decade apart. Like so many of his countrymen he ended up in Britain thanks to the family fish and chip shop in Armadale in West Lothian. He played a handful of games for Celtic before switching to Boro where he was admired for his “athleticism, acrobatics and showmanship”. After more than 300 games he moved to Wrexham before spells at Dundee United and Berwick Rangers in the twilight of his career.

Right-back: Sergio Porrini (Rangers, 1997-2001)

At a time when money was no object in Scottish football, the Ibrox club pounced for the double Scudetto-winning defender from Juventus and never looked back. He would win every main domestic trophy available under Dick Advocaat with two league titles, a League Cup and a Scottish Cup triumph. A rugged full-back, he could also play in the centre of defence and clocked up nearly 200 appearances in lower leagues in Italy after leaving Scotland.

Left-back: Paolo Vanoli (Rangers, 2003-05)

Having made his name as a marauding full-back or midfielder with the likes of Parma, Fiorentina and Bologna he joined the Glasgow giants in 2003 but never fully convinced boss Alex McLeish who often picked Frenchman Gregory Vignal ahead of him. There were flashes of what he could offer but it surprised nobody in particular when he moved back to Vicenza with six months left on his contract. He now finds himself managing Venezia in Serie B.

Centre-back: Manuel Pascali (Kilmarnock 2008-15)

It has been rare for Italians to shine outside of the Old Firm but the man from Milan became a legend among the Killie faithful over seven years. A central defender or defensive midfielder, he flitted around Italy’s lower leagues before making the surprise move to Scotland and never looking back. A club captain and wholehearted performer, he helped take the club to League Cup glory in 2012 although missed the final through injury.

Centre-back: Lorenzo Amoruso (Rangers 1997-2003)

A Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup winner with Fiorentina, big Amo became a cult hero with the Gers as he helped them lift trophy after trophy with three triumphs each in the league, Scottish Cup and League Cup. An uncompromising and colourful figure with an erratic but occasionally thunderous shot, he departed for Blackburn but featured only sporadically before hanging up his boots.

Midfielder: Massimo Donati (Celtic, Hamilton, St Mirren 2007-18)

A big money signing by Milan from Atalanta early on in his career, he was unable to secure regular game time with the Rossoneri and ended up with a string of loan spells. Celtic came calling in 2007 and he won the league and League Cup across two decent seasons. He returned to Italy but had a Scottish swansong with Hamilton and even St Mirren in the Championship. Rarely an attacking threat but a fine picker of passes from a more deep-lying role.

Midfielder: Rino Gattuso (Rangers, 1997-98)

Folk from Calabria are used to emigrating to find work but this legendary battling midfielder had to go further than most to seek employment. As a teenager, he left Perugia for Glasgow where his combative style proved an immediate hit. He might have stayed longer but a change of coach from Walter Smith to Dick Advocaat saw him fall out of favour and return to Italy at Salernitana before becoming a Milan hero and World Cup winner as he roared across football fields across the globe.

Midfielder: Stefano Salvatori (Hearts 1996-99)

Something of a journeyman, the athletic Milan youth product nonetheless racked up some good clubs on his CV including Parma, Fiorentina and Atalanta as well as the Rossoneri before reaching Tynecastle. His game proved well-suited to Scotland and he helped Hearts to a Scottish Cup win in 1998 which cemented his place in supporters’ affections. His death, aged just 49 in 2017, was mourned in both countries where he had played.

Attacking midfielder: Paolo Di Canio (Celtic 1996-97)

Although only a brief occupant of the famous green-and-white hoops, he is still remembered to this day. Even at a time when Scottish football had more financial clout than now, it was still a coup to sign a player to have featured for Lazio, Milan, Juventus and Napoli. He added sparkle, style and controversy in his single season north of the border before heading off to England where he would carve out a similar reputation with Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton.

Forward: Marco Negri (Rangers 1997-2001)

Another Italian meteor to hit Glasgow but what an impact he had in his first few months. Hitting goals for fun he looked set to smash all scoring records but a freak accident – attributed to a game of squash – saw him sidelined and never regain his amazing form. He dotted around Italy after leaving Scotland but could never recreate that golden rush of scoring which remains one of the most incredible streaks ever seen.

Forward: Fabrizio Ravanelli (Dundee 2003-04)

The Italian international who won the Champions League, UEFA Cup and a couple of Scudetti among other titles in a trophy-laden career hardly kicked a ball in Scotland in truth. He was paraded to much fanfare but played only a handful of games for the Dens Park side. He became a symbol of a few crazy years in Dundee when big names – and many Italians – came and went as the club put on a magnificent show before imploding. Penna Bianca (White Feather) headed home for Perugia as soon as they hit the financial wall.

Manager: Ivano Bonetti (Dundee 2000-02)

For a nation so proud of its tacticians, remarkably few have shown their talents in Scotland. Angelo Alessio had a brief spell at Kilmarnock and, at a push, Scottish-Italian Lou Macari at Celtic. However, Bonetti probably had the most impact with his Dundee side managing some impressive results and swashbuckling play before the inevitable crash and burn which followed some extravagant spending on Tayside.