Former goalkeeper Gordon McLeod (Robert Duvall) manages a Second Division football team in the small fishing village of Kilnockie, Scotland where the national sport is religion. Against Gordon's wishes the Knockies' new American owner, the bottom line driven Peter.Cameron (Michael Keaton), plans to move the team to Ireland unless the underdog squad can pull off the impossible and win the upcoming Scottish Cup. Much to Gordon's chagrin, Peter hires former First Division star Jackie McQuillan (Ally McCoist) to help the Knockies with their miracle bid. Jackie's boozing and womanizing cost him not only a once legendary career but also his marriage to Kate, Gordon's daughter. Adding fuel to Gordon's fire, Jackie and Kate get back together.

With the addition of Jackie the lowly Knockies begin to excel, as the star player returns to old form both on and off the pitch. His continued drinking and skirt-chasing alienate Gordon and the team, but despite the turmoil the Knockies proceed to eliminate bigger and better funded teams on their underdog journey to the finals of the Scottish Cup.

In a David versus Goliath match-up, the tiny Knockies find themselves up against Scotland's premiere squad, the mighty Glasgow Rangers. Gordon must square off personally with his old nemesis, Rangers manager Martin Smith (Brian Cox), setting the stage for an incredibly tense showdown in front of 50,000 fans at the national stadium. The down-to-the wire finish will thrill and surprise as Scotland's biggest little team takes its "Shot At Glory".