Ross Stewart #14

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His nickname among fans is undeniably the finest in the Scotland squad: The Loch Ness Drogba. We will never know for sure what part fate played in Stewart’s World Cup call-up. His end of season form with Southampton means he merited his place on the flight to North America but the injury sustained by Tommy Conway, who had returned to the Scotland squad in March, seemed to accelerate Stewart’s chances. The Southampton man had not featured for the national team since 2022. A decade ago, he was a non-league player in Ayrshire. His ascent since leaving St Mirren in 2018 has been sharp despite serious injury woes of his own. Via Ross County and Sunderland, Stewart became a £10m player. At one point, Albion Rovers bought him for just £1,500.

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