Albert Kidd is synonymous with perfect timing, at at least he was in 1986. As Champions elect – so described by everyone bar those connected with Celtic – Hearts, headed to Dundee on the final day of the season.
Celtic did their bit winning 5-0 at Love Street against St Mirren in breathtaking fashion, meanwhile Albert Kidd, a Celtic supporter and one who became almost as legendary as anyone who pulled on the Hoops, scored twice for Dundee to ensure the Hearts bubble burst and the League Trophy headed to Parkhead. Kidd even got a Celtic supporters club named in his honour.
Now it appears Albert Kidd’s timing could have saved Celtic as much as £3m. Albert, it appears gave Celtic scout Tosh McKinlay the heads up on new signing Riley McGree in 2017, and whilst Kidd did his bit, unlike Love Street in ’86, Celtic missed their opportunity on this occasion.
Speaking to Scottish Sun, Kidd advises a bit of Aussie commentary work, led him to setting eyes on Riley McGree five years ago and he was soon on the blower to Celtic.
“Riley burst on to the scene and was the quickest player in the A-league at that time,” Albert Kidd explains. “I was doing commentary for the radio show I work for and he jumped out at me as a guy with real potential. I got in touch with Tosh and suggested he take a look at him.
Australia’s midfielder Riley McGree (R) and Vietnam’s midfielder Phong Hong Duy Nguyen watch the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying round Group B football match between Vietnam and Australia at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on September 7, 2021. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
“He did that, but called me back and said he wasn’t good enough for Celtic at that particular point in time. Tosh said he could see what I was saying, that he was a decent player who had pace. He had also scored a few wonder goals, but he just wasn’t for Celtic at that stage.
“It is mind-blowing to think they’re now spending big money on signing him. I was recommending the guy on pure potential. I only did a minor analysis of what he was about — his strengths and weaknesses — and passed it on. “But it’s funny money he’s worth now by the sounds of it.”
Riley Mcgree of Birmingham City throws a bottle off the pitch during the match between Hull City and Birmingham City at MKM Stadium on November 20, 2021 (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
To be fair to Tosh McKinlay, an 18-year-old Riley McGree will be a very different prospect to one who then gained experience in Australia and in the English Championship. Indeed, had he not gained the experiences he has and moved to Celtic at that stage, it may be his development wouldn’t have seen the call up Ange Postecoglou gave him for the national squad and he may have simply become another statistic of those attempting to break through from the age groups at Celtic. I guess we’ll never know, but it certainly appears Albert Kidd hasn’t lost his knack for timing it’s just on this occasion unlike 1986, Celtic didn’t reciprocate.
But it’s all swings and roundabouts, what ifs and maybes. What matters now is Riley McGree is heading to Celtic and it looks like his time spent away from the club has helped mould a fantastic footballer. Even £3m may look like a steal in the weeks and months ahead.
Niall J
And for those who missed this one on The Celtic Star, here’s a catch-up chance to check out the photographs given to this site by the former Celtic Director Tom Grant of the demolition of the old Celtic Park and in its place the emergence of the New Celtic Park which we know and love today. These photographs are fascinating and well worth checking out on the link below…
READ THIS…Exclusive – A Phoenix Rising, a House of Steel. Celtic Park Redevelopment Photographs
