Andy Payton – A decent striker in a time of crisis

During the turbulent times of the early 1990s there wasn’t a lot to shout about for Celtic supporters and decent players were thin on the ground. We of course had the likes of John Collins and Paul McStay but we were missing a centre forward, someone who could regularly find the back of the net.

Liam Brady had spent a million on Tony Cascarino who wasn’t a success, actually he was totally useless, lasting just six months before being punted to Chelsea. Gerry Creaney did his best but was hardly prolific, Tommy Coyne struggled with injury and loss of form and Charlie Nicholas was well past his best.

Brady tried to rectify that by signing Englishman Andy Payton from Middlesbrough in a swap deal which saw Chris Morris head the opposite way. Andy arrived at Celtic with a good pedigree as a proven striker in the lower leagues of English football. Celtic fans welcomed him to Celtic Park, but weren’t totally optimistic giving Brady’s track record on strikers from England.

Andy Payton Glasgow Celtic FC 21 September 1992 Photo Mary Evans Allstar

Andy took a a wee bit to settle but soon began to find the net, the goal he scored in a win at Celtic Park against Rangers stands out, especially as it helped stop their unbeaten run that season. He was never a top class striker, but he was decent all the same and gave one hundred and ten percent every time he played. He is still held in high regard by the Celtic supporters for his efforts during those turbulent times.

A return of 20 goals in 46 appearances was a decent return in a poor Celtic side.

Lou Macari took over from Liam Brady and would rival his predecessors transfer dealings when he allowed Andy to return to England in a swap deal that would see the infamous Wayne Biggins head up north.

Andy continued to bang the goals in down south for Barnsley, Huddersfield and Burnley over the next decade. When he finally hung up his boots he had a career total of 226 goals in 588 games, not a bad record indeed.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

1 Comment

  1. Jim O'Rourke on

    We also had mcavennie also past his best and ooh ah willie Falconer (amazingly some fans actually sang that) jees the 90s were awful