Celtic’s greatest team: Pre-World War 2 – now let’s look at the midfield
In today’s article, we will be looking at the options for our defensive midfielder, to sit and protect our ‘Willie Maley XI’ defence and provide the springboard for all-out attack. This role is sometimes referred to as ‘the number 6’ in modern-day football. Once again, we have some absolutely outstanding candidates, so here is our shortlist, as always 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.
John ‘Jean’ McFarlane
Debut for Celtic: v Motherwell, April 1920
Final game: v Arbroath, February 1929
Total appearances: 324
Another of Celtic’s legendary wing-halves. Although born in Bathgate, ‘Jean’ arrived at the club via that prolific Fife nursery Wellesley Juniors.
Peter Wilson
Debut for Celtic: v Motherwell, February 1924
Final game: v Dundee, April 1934
Total appearances: 423
A wonderful, elegant wing-half who was a beautiful passer of the ball, Peter was a mainstay of Willie Maley’s first great Celtic team of the 1930s.
Chic Geatons
Debut for Celtic: v Third Lanark, September 1928
Final game: v Dumbarton, December 1940
Total appearances: 368
This wonderful wing-half and fans’ favourite was a lynchpin in both of Willie Maley’s great teams of the 1930s and was equally effective on either flank.
Malcolm MacDonald
Debut for Celtic: v Partick Thistle, April 1932
Final game: v Clyde, August 1945
Total appearances: 355
Another of Celtic’s all-time greats who featured in Willie Maleys’ excellent teams of the 1930s. ‘Calum’ could play just about anywhere in the team to great effect, starring on the wing, at centre-half and in midfield.
George Paterson
Debut for Celtic: v Airdrieonians, April 1933
Final game: v Rangers, June 1946
Total appearances: 308
Although he made his Celtic debut at centre-forward, George is another from the line of great Celtic wing-halves who returned to the club in a coaching capacity following his retiral from the playing side. What an incredible list of candidates for this role anchoring our unique midfield.
Who will be chosen?
If you’re just catching up with this intriguing selection, 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 or Joe Kennaway
Right-sided defender – Barney Battles, ‘Sunny Jim’ Young, Alec McNair, Willie McStay or Bobby Hogg
Central defender – James Kelly, Willie Loney, Peter Johnstone, Jimmy McStay or Willie Lyon
Left-sided defender – Dan Doyle, Willie Orr, Jimmy ‘Dun’ Hay, Joe Dodds, Willie ‘Peter’ McGonagle or Jock Morrison
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