With the news that Dunfermline legend Jim Leishman is to stand as a Labour candidate for the Dunfermline Central seat in May’s council elections, we take a look back at Scottish football figures who have pursued a career in politics after hanging up their boots.

While men such as Pele, George Weah, Oleg Blohkin, Alexei Smertin and Eric Cantona have all discussed the idea of running, few in Scotland have decided to follow this unfamiliar career path.

Here's five famous names who have swapped the penalty box for the ballot box.

Henry McLeish

The 63-year-old was on the books of English side Leeds United and represented Scotland at youth level.

McLeish then joined hometown club East Fife and represented them between 1964 and 1969.

He worked as a lecturer before going into politics, becoming leader of Fife Regional Council before rising through the Labour ranks in the early 1990s.

After the death of Donald Dewar, McLeish became Scotland’s second First Minister but was in the job for just over a year before resigning over his tax-subsidised Westminster constituency office.

He resigned in November 2001 before being commissioned to produce a report to reform Scottish football by the Scottish Football Association.

Dr John Reid

Ex-Celtic chairman John Reid has enjoyed a long career in politics encompassing several different roles.

The 64-year-old took up his position in the Parkhead boardroom in September 2007, replacing Brian Quinn.

He stepped down last year to be replaced by Ian Bankier.

Reid represented Airdrie and Shotts from 1987-2010 but really came to prominence as part of Tony Blair’s government in the late 1990s.

Once labelled ‘Blair’s Bulldog’, the Bellshill-born man became Transport Minister in 1998. Between then and 2007 he held the roles of Secretary of State for Scotland, Northern Ireland as well as Health and Defence Secretary.

He was also Labour Party chairman and Leader of the House of Commons.

Gordon Strachan was already Celtic boss when Reid joined the club with Tony Mowbray and Neil Lennon taking the hot seat during his time at the club.

Billy McNeill

This Lisbon Lion failed to make a roaring success of his short-lived political stint.

The Celtic club legend made a brief if unsuccessful foray into the political arena when he stood as a candidate for the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) at the Scottish Parliamentary elections in 2003.

Best known for captaining the club to European Cup glory in Lisbon in 1967, McNeill said he wanted to put his weight behind elderly people’s issues.

He was joined on the campaign trail by former Rangers player Eric Caldow. Although unsuccessful, the publicity he generated helped the party gain one seat at the polls.

As well as playing, McNeill also managed the club twice and was voted Celtic’s greatest ever player by supporters in 2002.

Eric Caldow

A member of the Scottish FA's Hall of Fame, Eric Carlow's political foray may not be as well remembered.

Having played over 250 games for Rangers, Caldow joined Billy McNeill as a candidate for the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) at the Scottish Parliamentary elections in 2003.

The Ayrshire man played for the Ibrox side between 1952 and 1966 representing the club in the 1959-60 European Cup semi-final.

The 77-year-old joined Stirling Albion for a season before joinging Corby Town.

He ended up managing the club before spells in the dug out with Hurlford and Stranraer.

Tommy Sheridan

No stranger to the left wing, Tommy Sheridan’s footballing credentials extend to a spell with junior side Pollok United.

The former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party insists that he almost signed for Rangers to become their first Roman Catholic player.

Sheridan claimed he caught the eye of an Ibrox scout in the late 1970s.

The 47-year-old is now better known for as the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party.

He formed the Solidarity Party in 2006 but became embroiled in a legal battle with News International before eventually spending a year in prison.