Celtic’s greatest team: Pre-World War 2 – Outside-left…
In today’s article, we will be looking at the options for our left-winger, the man who will beat defenders on that left flank to provide the supply of pinpoint crosses for our twin strikers. Once again, we have some absolutely outstanding candidates, so here is our shortlist, as always displayed 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 Campbell
Debut for Celtic: v Battlefield, September 1890
Final game: v Rangers, February 1903
Total appearances: 260
Johnny could play anywhere in the forward-line but was part of the left-flank partnership which delivered Celtic’s first Scottish Cup and League titles before moving to Aston Villa, where he won a League and FA Cup double. He returned for a second spell at Celtic in 1897.
Davie Hamilton
Debut for Celtic: v Hibernian, August 1902
Final game: v St Mirren, January 1912
Total appearances: 286
Outside-left in a forward-line revered by older Celts as the best-ever – Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers & Hamilton – Davie enjoyed electric pace in his trophy-laden career.
Adam McLean
Debut for Celtic: v Dumbarton, January 1917
Final game: v Raith Rovers, April 1928
Total appearances: 433
Considered by many to be Celtic’s greatest-ever left-winger, Adam was a huge loss when he was sold to Sunderland in 1928 after a decade of fabulous service.
Charlie Napier
Debut for Celtic: v Queen’s Park, October 1929
Final game: v Ayr United, March 1935
Total appearances: 211
‘Happy Feet’ was a huge favourite with the Celtic support and was part of Willie Maley’s wonderful Scottish Cup-winning teams of 1931 and 1933. The Scotland forward moved to Derby County in 1935.
Frank Murphy
Debut for Celtic: v Airdrieonians, April 1934
Final game: v Motherwell, June 1942
Total appearances: 259
Willie Maley finally found the successor to Adam McLean in the shape of Frank Murphy. He would provide the delivery from the left flank which allowed Jimmy McGrory then Johnny Crum to thrive in the latter half of the 1930s.
So, what an incredible list of candidates for this vital role. Who will be the chosen number 11 for our unique Willie Maley Celtic XI?
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.
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.
What an incredible list of candidates for these roles. Which one 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, which you can check-out HERE.
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
Defensive midfielder
John ‘Jean’ McFarlane, Peter Wilson, Chic Geatons, Malcolm MacDonald or George Paterson
Attacking midfielders (x2)
Peter Somers, Jimmy McMenemy, Patsy Gallacher, Tommy McInally, Alec Thomson, Peter Scarff or Willie Buchan
Outside right
Alec Bennett, Andy McAtee, Paddy Connolly, Bertie Thomson or Jimmy Delaney
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