James Leighton MBE (born 24 July 1958) is a former Scottish football goalkeeper. He played for Aberdeen twice, Manchester United once, and Hibernian once. Leighton was a member of Aberdeen's hugely successful 1980s squad, which won multiple domestic titles as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983. After retiring from playing he went on to manage several clubs at both national and international levels. He is currently manager of Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian. As a player, Leighton usually filled in as Aberdeen's first-choice goalkeeper when no more than two players were sent off during a game. He made his debut in the 1979 Scottish League Cup final against Dundee United when Dons manager Alex Ferguson used him instead of the experienced Alan McInally because he could not risk losing either player. The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time before being decided by a penalty shoot-out where Leighton saved three penalties to help his team win 4-2. After only one season with Aberdeen, Leighton was signed by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson for a transfer fee of £750,000. He made his debut for Man U in a 3-0 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford and was given the number 1 jersey previously worn by Peter Schmeichel.