On this day in 1958, Pat Crerand made his first-team debut as Celtic beat Queen of the South 3-1 in a League Cup match at Parkhead; just over a year later, he was joined in the side by his first cousin Charlie Gallagher.
Pat was noted for the precision of his passing from the right-half position, although his five years at Celtic – from 1958 to 1963 – were uncertain ones for the club, when a group of talented young players were seldom given the direction they needed. Pat quickly made the Scotland team, too, where , unfortunately, he was involved in a couple of incidents in matches against Czechoslovakia and Uruguay.
He had the game of his life when Celtic met Real Madrid in a friendly on 10 September 1962 and was an undoubted star in the side of that period. But there were always reports of clubs in England wanting his services and a row with Sean Fallon at half-time in the O*d F*rm clash on Ne’erday 1963 led to him asking for a transfer.
Pat Crerand moved to Manchester United on 6 February 1963. Better days lay ahead.
Many Happy Returns to Ally Hunter, born on this day in 1949.
Jim Craig
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