Centre-half Derek Whyte was only 17 and a half when he made his debut for Celtic against Hearts in a league match on 22 February 1986.
Under the guidance of Davie Hay, the side was pushing the men from the capital all the way in the chase for the title that season and Derek was at centre-back on the day of that famous win on 3 May at Love Street.
Two years later, with Billy McNeill in the manager’s chair, he picked up another League title badge and also a Scottish Cup winners’s medal as Celtic completed the double in their centenary season by beating Dundee Utd 2-1; and then in 1989, Derek was again a medal winner as Celtic narrowly overcame Rangers in yet another Scottish Cup final.
The next couple of years were harder for Celtic – and for Derek. Although he kept his place alongside Paul Elliott in the centre of the defence, the side’s lack of success plus some contract issues seemed to affect his morale.
On this day in 1992, Derek Whyte was transferred to Middlesborough.
Many Happy Returns to Moussa Dembele, born on this day at Pontoise in 1996.
Jim Craig