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Sport
Lewis Birrell

The best SPFL free agent five-a-side team as shop window stars look for transfer chance

We're all gripped by Celtic and Rangers' multi-million pound summer transfer sagas over pre-season.

But it can be easy to forget that there are many stars across Scottish football who remain without a club as pre-season creeps ever-closer.

PFA Scotland's list of available players is packed with experience - from Scottish Premiership to League Two.

In fact, we reckon you could form a pretty decent team out of Scotland's free agents alone. Here is Scotland's best available five-asides team.

Would you fancy facing them down at the local leisure centre?

Goalkeeper - Ross Doohan

The former Celtic goalkeeper never made it off the bench at Parkhead but is regarded as a solid shotstopper.

Doohan has racked up almost 100 senior appearances during seven loan spells - most notably at Ross County and Tranmere Rovers.

At 24-years-old, the former Scotland U21 international would be a solid addition to many Scottish Premiership and Championship squads.

In terms of five-a-side, would you fancy your chances against a stopper who has been used to training alongside the likes of Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard?

(SNS Group)

Defender - Brian McLean

The former Rangers youth is now 37-years-old - but most good five-asides teams have an ageing yet talented defender, don't they?

McLean, a Northern Ireland international, was released by Greenock Morton in the summer. He has turned out for 10 other clubs including Hibs, Dundee United and Brunei side DPMM FC.

His advancing years may mean that his full-time days are all but behind him.

But McLean could still prove to be an experienced head for one of Scotland's part-time clubs.

Midfielder - Liam Grimshaw

A complete workhorse who loves a tackle - a desirable trait both for our five-a-side team and Scottish clubs.

The former Manchester United youth player made 97 appearances for Motherwell across a range of defensive and midfield positions.

Grimshaw has been linked with a reunion alongside former 'Well mentor Stephen Robinson at St Mirren but nothing has been formalised.

The former England U18 international could be just the hard-working, versatile cog a Scottish club is looking for.

Midfielder (drifting into advanced areas!) - Luca Connell

He's the player with the flashy boots, the cool haircut and the flair which would have the opposition quaking in their boots.

The Irish midfielder was snapped up by Celtic in 2019 after breaking through at Bolton.

Connell has spent most of his time at Parkhead on loan at Queen's Park, where he has played a part in The Spiders' League One and Two title wins.

(SNS Group)

At 21-years-old and with a strong pedigree behind him, the Republic of Ireland U21 international could be a much-needed touch of class for a host of Scottish clubs.

On nights when Connell is otherwise engaged - former Partick Thistle and Crewe man Abdul Osman would be an able deputy!

Midfielder - Paul Paton

Much like Grimshaw, there would be very few lost 50/50s with Paul Paton on the team.

Now 35, Paton is well known as a tough midfielder across Scottish football. Best remembered for his 147 appearances with Partick Thistle, he also turned out for Dundee United, St Johnstone and Dunfermline.

The former Northern Ireland international was released by Dumbarton this summer as the club were relegated to League Two.

But there is life in the old dog yet and he could be the steady head which an ambitious League Two/Lowland League side needs for next season.

For more out-and-out attack match days, former Dundee United man Ryan Dow could be drafted in. Released Motherwell winger Justin Amaluzor is also a strong option for those nights when the Champions League is on and you're struggling for numbers!

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