The sad news to pass on this morning is that the former Celtic player John Curran passed away at the weekend.
John Curran signed for Celtic as an 18 year-old in November 1958 from Duntocher Hibernian.
Tall – 6’ 4″ – and sturdy built, Curran was a robust full back who made his debut in a 1-1 league draw with Clyde at Celtic Park on September 26 1959. Due to his height he was known as ‘John Charles’ to his friends as at school (in reference to the great Welsh player).
Many positives, and said to have a ‘never say die’ attitude, and early on after his debut it was thought that he looked “like following in the great tradition of Parkhead defensive stars”.
However he couldn’t establish himself as a first team regular, given a run of three games in season 1959, which included a 5-0 win over Arbroath and a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen. Don McKay was brought back in for his place in the team.
Around 18 months later, he was given a token appearance in the last league game in season 1960-61 which Celtic lost 3-1 to Hearts, which ended his career in the First XI.
After just those four Celtic appearances John was released in May 1962 and eventually moved to Derry City. Celtic were going through a poor state of affairs post-1957 and unfortunately for John Curran he was there at Celtic for four years when the club was at its worst in management. However there was some strong talent to compete with in defence so not easy. He later returned to Glasgow to play for Maryhill Harp.
Despite the lack of success at Celtic, he stayed loyal to his colleagues:
“Afterwards I concentrated on my full-time professional career and combined this with following my former team-mates throughout the glorious Stein years”.
He returned to Celtic after retiring from play and became the Celtic Boys Club team manager from 1980-1986 helping to bring through a number of great players, and after was a scout for the club.
He later moved to work in the public sector, with the responsibility as an Assistant Director of Personnel with Strathclyde Regional Council, then the largest local authority in Europe.
Despite the frustrations he experienced at the club you would struggle to ever meet a prouder man to have worn the Hoops
“I was at hospitality a couple of years ago with John and his sons, Big Billy, Bobby Lennox and George McCluskey walked into the room and made a beeline for Big John when they seen him, and greeted him like old pals, I was so pleased for him and his Bhoys that night,” was one supporter recollection from yesterday as the sad news of his passing broke.
“Big John will be remembered as a great family man, and a True Celt.Hail Hail John Curran, Rest in Peace”.
Sleep well John.
Jim Craig
