Throughout the annals of Celtic history there are countless legendary figures. Bobby Evans was one such player. A skillful inside right, Evans was reluctantly converted into a no-nonsense centre back due to his aggression, tough tackling and aerial prowess. These traits made him a fine Celtic captain, whilst his real forte was turning defence in to attack with an excellent range of passing.
As great as Bobby Evans was for the club, he let himself down during a 1960 Scottish Cup tie in Paisley, at a time when his career was coming to an end. Bobby was getting dominated by the St Mirren striker, Gerry Baker, who peeled off him at the edge of the box, just as a well-placed cross made its way towards the far post. Evans was caught under the ball and opted to catch it with both hands, before it entered the penalty area!
This led one incensed Celtic fan, Mr. Mackenzie from Gallowhill (Paisley), to write a letter to The Evening Citizen newspaper expressing his dismay at the Celtic stalwart’s actions. The letter, which was published on 16 February 1960, read:
I left the St. Mirren-Celtic cup-tie at Love Street with a firm opinion on one aspect of our future international sides – Bobby Evans is no longer the man to fill Scotland’s centre-half jersey. I have long been an admirer of Bobby Evans, both as a footballer who never gave up trying and as a sportsman. It may have been a good tactic to jump into the air and catch the ball like a goalkeeper (as he did on Saturday) but it was a surprisingly graceless act from a no.1 player. Bobby, slow on the turn these days, has been relying on his positional sense. Now it seems, even that is suspect.
As a leader and figurehead for many years, Evans was never one to shy away from his critics. Owing to the fact that the newspaper offered a ‘right to reply’ opportunity for any player that was singled out and reproved, the editor no doubt felt he would be in for a treat with the story that would emanate from the Celtic man’s response. However, Bobby Evans had more class than to react in such a public way.
A day after the letter was published, Mr. Mackenzie heard a knock at his door. He promptly strolled along the hallway and twisted the handle. A look of disbelief and discomfiture was immediately etched across his face as standing in front of him was a displeased man looking to set the record straight. Celtic and Scotland’s centre half had gone to Paisley to reproach Mr. Mackenzie about one area of his letter. There was no shouting or raised voices, but after Evans introduced himself, he supposedly stood before Mr. Mackenzie and authoritatively said: “I don’t mind you saying I am past it, but don’t ever question my sportsmanship.” A mark of the man’s character is that once Evans had said his piece, he stayed for a drink and the pair parted on good terms!
A good story about Bobby Evans, a great player for Celtic and Scotland. The irony is that if any player did that in 2021, the end product would be a red card!
Two questions I always have about Bobby Evans. Why was he so suddenly sacked from the captaincy (in mid Atlantic en route to a tour of the USA in 1957) and replaced by Bertie Peacock?
And why did Jock Stein not find a place for Evans in his Parkhead set up after 1965. He found a place for Fallon, Mochan, Higgins and Fernie of the great team of 1954, but why not Evans?
I’ve wondered similar. Probably, the answer to the first question could hint at the answer to the second one. A great player and evidently an interesting character too!