Peterhead’s Rory McAllister has received a message of congratulations from Ally McCoist after joining an elite club.
McAllister joined former Rangers striker McCoist as one of just three players to score 250 league goals in Scotland’s top four divisions since World War Two.
The only other player to top 250 league goals in Scotland’s top four leagues is Gordon Wallace, who hit the landmark playing for Dundee, Dundee United, Montrose and Raith Rovers, before he retired in 1980.
McAllister, 37, scored his landmark 250th goal in Peterhead’s 4-0 win against Edinburgh City last month.
McAllister has scored 168 league goals for the Blue Toon across three different spells, as well as hitting the back of the net in league action for Montrose, Cove Rangers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Brechin City, when the club competed in the then Scottish Football League (SFL).
The striker now sits 32 league goals behind the current highest post-war scorer McCoist, 61, who scored 282 league goals across his career.
McAllister said: “I knew I was getting close, so it’s great to get there. My family will be really proud.
“As you get older it becomes more about the team than personal achievements, but it’s still really special to reach 250. I’d like to thank all my teammates over the years, who have played a huge part in me reaching this.
“I’ve always scored goals throughout my career, even in my youth days. I wasn’t as prolific when I played full-time, but the goals have flown since I started part-time with Brechin City back in the day.
“Hopefully I can now catch Ally McCoist. That would be unbelievable.”
And he joked: “I need about 15 league goals this year to give me a chance, then I’ll have to just keep going until I get it. I might have to come on in my zimmer frame just to take penalties.”
Former Scotland striker salutes ‘absolute legend’
McCoist said: “Rory, mate – what an achievement. Absolutely first class.
“Two hundred and fifty league goals and an absolute legend of the SPFL. That I can say without fear of contradiction.
“The last decade or so you’ve been banging that ball in the back of the net. You’ve been an example to everyone.
“Best wishes – particularly from all those folk in Peterhead where you’re a legend.
“Keep it going, although I think you’ve got about 30 to go (to catch me) so don’t go crazy now.”
After hearing the video, McAllister said: “That’s brilliant. My testimonial is next year, so I’m hoping I can get him to speak at that.”
SPFL group chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Everyone at the SPFL would like to congratulate Rory McAllister on this incredible achievement.
“Rory has been prolific right throughout the 11 years of the SPFL, as well as previously in the SFL, and it’s a real tribute to his talent that he’s hit this significant landmark.
“Becoming just the third post war player to score 250 goals in our top four leagues is a really special moment and one Rory should rightly be proud of.”
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