Forget the Super League and bid for super Scottish football memorabilia instead

It is also a shame (or blessing if you are a traditionalist) because the Scottish game has a long and fascinating history, with many of the earliest clubs to be formed anywhere in the world.

Glasgow auction house McTear’s is a good place to go for memorabilia, not least for its Sporting Medals & Trophies auction, the next being on May 21.

This auction – launched in April 2019 – features a host of sporting history from the worlds of football, golf, curling, bowls, athletics and more, including gold, silver and gilt medals, trophies and plaques, alongside autographs, match-worn attire, caps and cravats.

Here are five Scottish football-related lots from the May 21 sale.

Hearts riding high

A 9ct gold medal from the earliest days of Heart of Midlothian Football Club will be offered with an estimate of £5000-7000.

Tom Robertson’s Scottish Football League Championship Gold Medal from 1896-97 (pictured top) is being sold by a relative of the late player. On the final day of that season, Hearts clinched the title in resounding fashion, winning 5-0 against Clyde, with Robertson scoring four goals. It was won at a time when the Edinburgh side were riding high in Scottish football.

Robertson (1876-1941) moved to Liverpool in 1898 and helped the club secure their first league title in 1900-01. He would go on to represent Manchester United and Dundee in later years.

To bid for Tom Robertson's Hearts gold medal 1896-97 view the catalogue entry on thesaleroom.com.

Ireland the Scottish league legend

Scottish Football League Championship Gold Medal 1928-29 awarded to Robert Ireland of Rangers FC - estimate £2000-4000 at McTear's on May 21.

Estimated at £2000-4000 is a 9ct Scottish Football League Championship Gold Medal 1928-29 awarded to Robert Ireland of Rangers FC, in an original fitted case, the hinged cover inscribed The Rangers F.C.

The 1928-29 Scottish Division One season of was won by Rangers by 16 points over nearest rival Celtic. Ireland helped Rangers to their 17th league title, and the third of five consecutive titles under legendary manager Bill Struth.

Check the catalogue entry on thesaleroom.com to bid on Robert Ireland's Rangers gold medal 1928-29.

'The Wee Blue Devil' who downed England

Matchworn Scotland international jersey worn by Alan Morton in the game against Wales on February 14, 1925 - estimate £2000-3000 at McTear's on May 21.

The matchworn Scotland international jersey worn by Alan Morton in the game against Wales on February 14, 1925, is guided at £2000-3000. Born in Partick, Glasgow on April 24, 1893, ‘The Wee Blue Devil’ will forever be remembered as a member of Scotland’s Wembley Wizards who defeated England 5-1 in 1928.

His football career started with Queen’s Park in 1913 and he played for Scotland in his first full International in 1920. Some 12 years later he had amassed a then record total of 31 appearances for Scotland, most of which were attained while a Rangers player, whom he had joined in April 1920. He retired from playing in 1933 and had collected an nine league championship medals and three Scottish Cup winner’s badges.

On his retirement as a player in 1933 he immediately became a director and Rangers and remained in this capacity until his death in 1971. Reckoned by many to be the finest outside left in Great Britain, never mind Scotland, his ball control and passing ability were second to none.

This jersey comes from the 1924-25 British Home Championship game against Wales. Scotland won the match 3-1 and went on to top the table winning all three of their games.

You can bid for a Scotland international jersey worn by Alan Morton in 1925 via thesaleroom.com.

Celtic pride

Celtic v Inter 1967 European Cup Final programme signed by many of the Lisbon Lions - estimate £80-120 at McTear's on May 21.

When the Lisbon Lions of Celtic beat Inter Milan 2-1 on May 25, 1967, they became the first British side to lift the European Cup.

All but two members of the 15-man squad were born within 10 miles of Celtic Park in Glasgow. This cup final programme estimated at £80-120 is signed by Bertie Auld to the cover, while the interior is signed by nine of the players (excluding Murdoch and Johnstone).

See the catalogue entry of the Celtic v Inter Milan 1967 European Cup Final programme on thesaleroom.com.

The legend Larsson

Henrik Larsson signed Celtic FC shirt - estimate £100-150 at McTear's on May 21.

Among the more recent heroes of Celtic fans is the Swedish international striker Henrik Larsson, who joined in July 1997. He left seven years later for Barcelona having scored 242 goals in 315 games, won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

He was the top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League for five of the six seasons that he competed in (he had a good excuse why he wasn’t in 1999-2000: a broken leg).

This Celtic FC shirt signed by Larsson is offered with a souvenir copy of MailSport weekly titled Henrik Larsson's Farewell Tour and is estimated at £100-150.

View the catalogue entry on thesaleroom.com to bid for this Celtic FC shirt signed by Henrik Larsson.