A Match Made in Heaven
Players & Books
Here at Luath Press we are excited to announce the release of We Are Scottish Football, a poetry narrative that highlights a love for Scottish Football and the heritage that lines the streets of Glasgow. These were and are 21 heritage sites that ‘changed the world of football forever.’
In support of this title, we have decided to match some of our favourite Scottish Football players with Luath Press books, to celebrate our journey to the Euros this year.
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1. Lawrence Shankland
This 2023/24 season, Lawrence Shankland has been Hearts’ talisman totalling 27 goals across all competitions. It only made sense for Steve Clarke to call up the Hearts captain for the country’s trips to the Euros this year – Shankland being the number-one name on the lips of fans. The front runner for the forward spot, it only seems fitting that we match Lawrence with ‘Touching the Heights’ by Archie MacPherson. This book celebrates the breadth of Scottish sporting achievement. Will Lawrence Shankland perform in the Euros and be the frontrunner for Scotland? If his performances on and off the ball are anything like when with his domestic club, he will set Germany alight.
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2. Lewis Ferguson
A revelation in the world of football. Since coming through the ranks at Hamilton Academical and Aberdeen, it is since Ferguson left for Italy, that his talents have been really and truly known. Now, captain of Bologna, Lewis Ferguson has played 987 minutes out of a possible 990, a mainstay of Motta’s midfield line-up. The book chosen for him is ‘Magnaccioni’ by Anne Pia, a cookery book slash memoir about the Italian recipes that have guided her through life, forever tying her to her roots. Lewis Ferguson will always be a son of Italy, an identity carved out by the warmth of the Italian people. Although his participation in the Euros is over because of a heart-breaking injury, we know he will be with the boys in spirit.
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3. John McGinn
As the story goes…we’ve got McGinn, Super John McGinn. A homegrown talent, McGinn started his career with St Mirren in Paisley before being picked up by Hibs in 2015. A mainstay in the Hibs team during this time, and winner of the Scottish Cup in 2016 (their first time in 114 years!), his talent was picked up by Aston Villa, signing a most recent deal in 2023 which will see him stay at the club until 2027. The book chosen for him is ‘The Rise and Eventual Fall of Turnbull's Tornadoes’ by Tom Wright. We’re hoping that his trajectory through football will see the youngest McGinn brother control the midfield like we know he can and has proven to.
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4. Billy Gilmour
A homegrown talent born in Irvine, Ayrshire, Billy Gilmour is another Scotland player who has transcended expectations, a regular in Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton and Hove Albion team. Gilmour spent his boyhood years with Rangers, described as a player with a ‘bright future’, and with that, he has flown. We decided to pair him with ‘Home Game’ by Mel Young and Peter Barr, an account of the Homeless World Cup from its inception in 2003. The two creators of the Big Issue grew their business through the passion of using football to change homeless lives for the better, just as Gilmour carved out his own path using the power of football. We know he’s going to make an impact on the big stage.
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We can’t wait to be cheering on the boys. Below is one of our favourite segments taken from the book which we believe sums up just how much the fans will drive the team forward.
We are extra time
just in time
down the line
he’s off his line
out of time!
We are the highs and lows and anything goes.
We, are Scottish Football.
