In today’s article, we will be looking at the left-sided defender who will complete the shortlist of our defensive line-up – the ‘back three’ plus goalkeeper in Willie Maley’s unique Celtic team comprising only of players who thrilled supporters in the great man’s era of 1888-1940.
Here’s a very brief reminder of the story so far, a recap of the shortlists already published exclusively in The Celtic Star.
Goalkeeper – Dan McArthur, Davie Adams, Charlie Shaw, John Thomson, Joe Kennaway – read about these wonderful Celtic players HERE.
Right-sided defender – Barney Battles, ‘Sunny Jim’ Young, Alec McNair, Willie McStay, Bobby Hogg — read about these wonderful Celtic players HERE.
Central defender – James Kelly, Willie Loney, Peter Johnstone, Jimmy McStay, Willie Lyon – read about these wonderful Celtic players HERE.
Here is the selection of iconic left-sided defenders to complete this part of the team, once again listed in chronological order.
Note that the number of appearances does exclude Charity Cup matches and friendlies and can occasionally differ by a small margin in different record sources, however, it will give you a sense of length and consistency of service etc.
Debut for Celtic: v Heart of Midlothian, August 1891Final game: v Partick Thistle, December 1898Total appearances: 169
Dan was a title-winner north and south of the border, having claimed the English League with Everton before Celtic’s first flag success in 1892/93. An all-time fans’ favourite.
Willie OrrDebut for Celtic: v Hibernian, September 1897Final game: v Aberdeen, September 1907Total appearances: 235
Willie was another who captained Celtic to League and Scottish Cup glory in the early 1900s. Two decades later, he lifted the Scottish Cup as manager of an excellent Airdrieonians side.
Jimmy ‘Dun’ HayDebut for Celtic: v Partick Thistle, August 1903Final game: v Aberdeen, April 1911Total appearances: 287
Captain of Celtic and Scotland, ‘Dun’ was another stalwart from that wonderful Hoops side which won six successive Scottish league titles between 1904-1910, a record which stood for 60 years.
Debut for Celtic: v Dundee, October 1908Final game: v Morton, April 1922Total appearances: 399
Blessed with lightning pace, Joe was a fixture at left-back for Celtic for more than a decade and was another who returned to the club in a coaching role under Willie Maley.
Debut for Celtic: v Falkirk, August 1927Final game: v Rangers, January 1936Total appearances: 347
A lion-hearted defender who would have run through a brick wall for Celtic, yet a gentle and kind man off the pitch. A decade of fabulous service in the Hoops for Jimmy McGrory’s great friend.
Debut for Celtic: v Aberdeen, September 1930Final game: v Ayr United, April 1940Total appearances: 215
The legendary full-back was a key part of Willie Maley’s defensive triumvirate of ‘Kennaway, Hogg and Morrison’ which brought great success to Celtic in the latter half of the 1930s.
So, that’s the list of defenders complete. Who will be chosen?
It’s an excellent way to get through an international weekend with a Celtic fix, have yourself and your company a load of fun whilst raising money for the wonderful work carried out in our name by Celtic FC Foundation.
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Hail Hail,
Matt Corr
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