And a very happy birthday ahead of Friday to Scotlands greatest rugby player. Such titles are inherently subjective and arbitrary, but it was the one conferred last year on Gary Armstrong, who turns 50 on September 30, by the Herald, a paper with a long record of sane and serious coverage of the Scottish game.Armstrong, who won 51 caps at scrum-half between 1988 and 1999, squeezed ahead of Gordon Brown and Andy Irvine at the top of the Glasgow-based papers list of Scotlands all-time greatest 50. ESPNs own John Griffiths in 2003 rated him number 6 in his top 50, with Irvine at No.1, ahead of Gavin Hastings and post-war flanker Doug Elliott.Certainly few players have been more warmly regarded by a greater range of compatriots, not all of them natural rugby fans. Gregor Townsend has recalled his experience as a student of walking into an Edinburgh biker bar whose walls were decorated with news cuttings about Armstrong.It also helps to have been associated with some of the happiest moments in Scotlands rugby history. Armstrong and prop Paul Burnell were the common factors in both the Grand Slam of 1990 and the Five Nations title in 1999. His deft pass was perhaps the key moment in the creation of Tony Stangers decisive try in the 1990 Grand Slam decider against England.Those 51 caps spread across a dozen years might not look so impressive to modern eyes. But there was less international rugby in the era either side of the shift to professional in 1995, and Armstrong was unlucky enough with serious injuries to devote an entire chapter of his autobiography to his medical mishaps. Scotland played 89 matches in all between his debut against Australia in October 1988 and his final appearance against the All Blacks 11 years later.He was also an unlucky Lion. He made the party to Australia in 1989, but was kept out of the tests by Robert Jones -- a rivalry which, to the credit of both, generated friendship and mutual respect -- on Armstrongs own reckoning at that time probably the best scrum-half in the world. Forced to settle on that tour for membership of a memorably happy and effective midweek squad, Donals Doughnuts, led by Irish lock Donal Lenihan, he was slated for a bigger role on the 1993 trip to New Zealand. Coach Ian McGeechan reckoned him likely to be the first name on the team-sheet, but he was ruled out of the tour by a serious groin injury.His home town of Jedburgh ranks a little behind Hawick or Galashiels as a Border hotbed, the Jed-Forest club a periodic rather than a consistent contender for honours. But it provided Scotland with world-class scrum-halves for two decades. Armstrong emerged in succession to Roy Laidlaw, Scotlands scrum-half of the 1980s -- the two facing each other in one final Scottish trial before Laidlaw retired at the end of the 1988 Five Nations.Some commentators were incredulous that the same small club could provide Scotland with consecutive number nines -- in the process squeezing out heir apparent Greig Oliver -- but as Armstrong pointed out he did not just appear out of the blue, having played at youth, under-18, under-21 and B levels before winning his first senior cap.He was, he recalled in his memoirs always a scrum-half. I must have looked like a scrum-half from day one and that was where I was put. Usually identified as the extra loose forward type of scrum-half, he always offered rather more than that.He was fearsomely committed, a quality which made him a favourite of notoriously demanding Scotland coach Jim Telfer. David Sole, the abrasive leader of the 1990 Grand Slam team, said that if you were picking one guy to go over the top you would pick Gary Armstrong. He would put his body on the line for the cause -- a phenomenal player with incredible courage. Jonny Wilkinson, a team mate at Newcastle in the later 1990s, thought of him as the junk-yard dog.But he was much more than a rugged auxiliary to the fine back rows Scotland could field in the 1990s. His aim was to keep opponents guessing, never sure whether he would pass, break or kick. The golden rule was never, ever to give his half-back partner bad ball, a priority he kept to the extent that legendary Scottish commentator Bill McLaren, writing at a time when Armstrong had already amassed 30 caps, could not recall an occasion on which he passed on rubbish ball to his partner.And he had a wider range of skills than is often remembered. Like every other team-mate, Townsend admired his toughness and commitment, but for me, his kicking game and ability to break tackles were just as impressive. Taking a therapeutic career break from the pressures of playing scrum-half in 1993, he had sufficient all-round ball-playing skills to appear at outside-half, full-back and centre for Jed-Forest before the needs of both club and country compelled a return to the number nine shirt.And he got smarter as he got older, using the opportunity to dedicate himself full-time after the switch to professionalism post-1995 to develop his game -- Townsend noting that playing and training as a professional for Newcastle had made him a more rounded player. He no longer played like a ninth forward and his first option was to quickly get the ball in my hands.His Scotland career might have ended much sooner than it did. There were the injuries, that sabbatical in the 1993-4 season and numerous offers to move to rugby league. His autobiography details how close he came to signing for the Carlisle club before a background check revealed the league teams financial instability.A lorry driver in the pre-professional eras, he was a significant beneficiary of the transformation post 1995. He was not only paid his considerable worth by the original big-money club, with whom he won an English championship in 1998, but extended his career by several seasons.His 1995 autobiography made it clear that the prospect of after-dinner speaking was enough to put him off becoming captain -- although he was a keen participant in the less formal aspects of post-match banquets -- but he wound up leading his country, captaining Scotland to the final Five Nations championship before ending with the 1999 World Cup match against the All Blacks.Scotland has hardly been ill-served since at scrum-half. Bryan Redpath and Andy Nicol were the immediate competitors to succeed him, while Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter and Greig Laidlaw have ensured that, whatever their limitations elsewhere, Scotland have fielded consistent quality in the number nine shirt.But where Armstrong left Scotland as champions they have not won, or come near to winning, a title in the 17 seasons since. Coincidence? One rather suspects not. Wholesale Air Max Plus . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. Buy Air Max Plus . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.airmaxpluscheap.com/ . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Air Max Plus Wholesale Online . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Cheap Air Max Plus . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Ahead of Roy Hodgsons England squad announcement on Thursday, we asked Sky Sports Now guest Stuart Pearce to pick the 23-man squad he would take to Euro 2016. Notable inclusions are Leigton Baines, Michael Carrick and Jordan Henderson, while Daniel Sturridge gets the nod up front alongside Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.However, there is no place for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere in what is the most notable omission from the former England U21 managers squad. Former England U21 boss Pearce named his squad on Sky Sports Now Here is who Pearce has included...Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley)Pearce says: Joe Hart is the standout No 1. The only thing I would say is that I wouldve liked to have seen Jack Butland available to push him. I think Jacks getting closer and closer to Joe, but the City stopper is the No 1. Hes the standout goalkeeper and fingers crossed, he doesnt get injured. Joe Hart is joined by Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton in Pearces squad Not just for Tom, but Fraser as well, these two individuals will probably know they wont actually play a game unless he gets injured, suspended or really suffers from a bad dip in form. Its important their mentality is spot on to support Joe because nobody else in the squad will go with that mentality of not playing. These two will but they have to support the No 1.Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), John Stones (Everton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Leighton Baines (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham). VOTE: Euro defenders Which defenders should England take to Euro 2016? Have your say here... Pearce says: Leighton Baines has got a lot of tournament experience. I still think hes an outstanding full-back. Danny Rose has just gone past him ability-wise and I think he will start, but it was a tough call. Weve had a lot of left-backs over the year with Keiran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand also playing for England, and they are all pushing for the position. I just went with Baines experience.My starting two at this moment in time at the heart of the defence are Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill.Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Everton), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), AAdam Lallana (Liverpool).dddddddddddd Pearce thinks Michael Carrick should go to Euro 2016 Pearce says: Before the weekend just gone, I would have totally ruled Jack Wilshere out of the squad because I know the politics between Arsenal and The FA in regard to Jack going on international duty and getting injured. Hes not started a game for a year, which is a long time.Having watched the Arsenal game at the weekend, I think Wilsheres very close to the squad. He played very well and he seemed to fit seamlessly back into side and got 70-odd minutes under his belt. Thats a judgement call for Roy. Jack Wilshere is the notable omission from Stuart Pearces 23-man England squad I also think Michael Carricks form has been good and the one thing Ive got on my mind is if Eric Dier, who will start as the holding midfield player, is let down by form or injury, who will start in front of the back four?I don think weve got many options to do it but I think Carrick can do it. Thats why hes in my squad. Pearce thinks Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy should start in attack for England Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool).Pearce says: My proviso would be: play the players that are on form. When I look through the whole squad, who is on form? Joe Hart, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane. Those six are our form players. That lends itself to playing a diamond and we may have to go down that route. Englands best striker Should Daniel Sturridge start ahead of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy? Where we had a lot of good wide players over the last year, all of a sudden Sterling cant get in the team and Alex Oxlade-Chamerlain is injured. Andros Townsend may be an outside bet because hes come back in and has been playing football recently. For me, you have to get the two in outstanding form playing together. Whether you play Rooney in behind them I dont know. Also See: VOTE: Englands Euro defenders Englands injury list Sturridge best England striker Welbeck in Euros injury scare ' ' '