Fans of Scottish football love a good old-fashioned, full-blooded centre-back.
But there is also plenty of room for a nice, easy-on-the-eye ball-playing defender in the modern game. We have plenty of both here in the Premiership.
It might be early days yet for this season but there have been plenty of top performers.
And we are at the second international break of the campaign, so why not take a look at the best centre halves so far, as we have done below.
Slobodan Rubezic – Aberdeen
The Montenegrin has been an everpresent for Aberdeen this season, playing every minute in their 100 per cent Premiership run. According to FotMob, the 24-year-old is top of the charts in the league for defensive actions won and in the top seven per cent for aerial duels won. He is also second on the list for clearances per 90 with 8. Rubezic was unconvincing at times last season but has definitely settled in properly now.
Frankie Kent – Hearts
Hearts may be struggling this season but their standout centre-back from last season is going strong again. Kent was superb in European games against Viktoria Plzen and Dinamo Minsk. He was also head and shoulders against Rangers and has been a leader in other league games. He has better aerial duels success than 94 per cent of other centre-backs and is in the top 15 per cent for defensive actions.
Emmanuel Adegboyega – Dundee United
Emmanuel Adegboyega joined Dundee United on loan from Norwich for the season and has immediately settled and helped them to fifth in the table. After six starts at centre-back, Jim Goodwin has been talking him up for an Ireland call-up.
Liam Gordon – Motherwell
Leaving boyhood club St Johnstone for Motherwell looks to have been a smart choice for Liam Gordon. The 28-year-old has started every league game and been a standout defensively in most of them during what has been a strong start to the season for Stuart Ketlewell’s men. He is top of the starts chart for aerial duels won for a centre-back and in the top five per cent for defensive actions.
Stuart Findlay – Kilmarnock
Like Hearts, Killie have struggled at the wrong end of the season. Last season, teammates Robbie Deas and Lewis Mayo who have had a shout for this list along with Findlay, but he has been by far and away their best defender so far.
Ross Graham – Dundee United
Graham has been a key man for Jim Goodwin’s side and picked up the club’s player of the month award for September. As well as shining defensively, he has popped up with key goals against Hearts and Kilmarnock, contributing directly to points gained.
Warren O’Hora – Hibs
One positive for the Hibees this season has been the Irishman. Third in the league for blocks per 90 with 1.4, he has also has better success in the air than 92 per cent of centre-backs. Has even worn the captain’s armband so early in his Easter Road career.
Dan Casey – Motherwell
The Irishman has popular among Motherwell fans for his wholehearted approach and that has led to some tipping him for international honours. Always a threat in the other box too and chips in with goals.