BBC SPORT | Scotland | Scottish duo honoured

Two Scots have been rewarded for their contribution to British sport in the New Year's Honours list.

Footballer Gary McAllister and rugby union referee Jim Fleming have been singled out for a visit to Buckingham Palace.

Liverpool star McAllister picks up the MBE and the midfielder, who was 37 on Christmas Day, has revealed he wants to stay on at Anfield for another season.

He started his career at his hometown club Motherwell 20 years ago and picked up 57 caps for his country before retiring from the international arena in March 1999.

McAllister was a key performer in Gerard Houllier's successful treble-cup winning Liverpool team last season.

Houllier brought him to Anfield on a free transfer from Coventry in July of last year to provide experience and craft in the middle of the park.

After four years with Motherwell McAllister moved to Leicester in the summer of 1985.

After 200-plus games he moved to Leeds for �1m five years later and won the championship in 1992.

McAllister scores from the penalty spot
McAllister has had a great career
A �3m transfer to Coventry followed in 1996 before the Bosman move to Liverpool.

Fleming, now an MBE, is Scotland's most capped referee and has controlled 40 major internationals after being forced to end his playing career 28 years ago.

The Boroughmuir man was appointed to Scotland's international panel in 1983 before officiating at his first international - Ireland v England - 12 years later.

Fleming is one of only two referees to appear at all four World Cup tournaments to date, along with Derek Bevan.

He refereed at the semi-final stage in two of the competitions - Australia v New Zealand in 1991 and New Zealand v France eight years later.

He was appointed to the International Rugby Board's elite refereeing panel in 1997/98.

Fleming took his final Murrayfield bow for the Scotland-Barbarians game in May this year.


	Links to more Scotland stories