When John Colquhoun walked off a building site to sign for Celtic in November 1983 at the age of just 20, he was literally living the dream, and was determined to make the most of his once in a lifetime opportunity…
Signed from home town club Stirling Albion for £50,000, John a tricky winger would get to make his senior debut in a 3-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle just a month after signing on the dotted line.
John showed his qualities right from the start as he impressed against the men in maroon, setting up a spectacular Brian McClair strike in the win at Gorgie.
Colquhoun had been brought to the club as cover for Davie Provan, and was subsequently denied a regular run of games, but impressed when given the chance. John had a great few months period in the 84/85 campaign, in particular terrific performances in a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in October, and a 2-1 New Year day derby win over Rangers at Ibrox.
The season ended in Celtic winning the Scottish Cup after a 2-1 win over Dundee United, but unfortunately for John despite his impressive showings he missed out on a spot in the cup final squad, thus being denied the opportunity of a medal.
That signalled the end for the young winger and after just 37 appearances and four goals he left his boyhood heroes to sign for Hearts in the summer of 1985 for a sum of £50,000.
Ironically John’s first appearance in maroon was against Celtic at Tynecastle on the opening day of the 1985/86 campaign, scoring for his new side against his old side in a 1-1 draw.
John was instrumental in a Jambos side who so nearly secured a historic league title, only to see glory snatched from their grasp on a dramatic final day of the season. Celtic of course pipping the men in maroon in the most dramatic of circumstances. John’s pain was very much our gain.
John went on to make 496 appearances scoring 101 goals for the Jambos in two different spells with the club, becoming something of a legendary figure down Gorgie way.
He achieved his fame in the Maroon of Hearts, but John Colquhoun can always say he lived his dream by pulling on those famous green and white hoops.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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A wee word about John which will serve to remind everyone that he was just an ordinary guy. In my younger days when I followed the Bhoys all over Europe, we had travelled to Vienna from London for the Ist leg of the Euro tie v Rapid ( the second leg will be remembered for all the wrong reasons) early 1980,s
We got to the team hotel (to collect our tickets) and a few of the players were in the foyer. John, who had just signed for Celtic, seeing our Celtic tops and scarves, immediately approached us to ask where we were from and how we had got there etc. he was incredibly down to earth, just like another fan. We lost the game 3-1 btw. If you search for highlights on YouTube, I’m the guy in the white top celebrating Brian Mclairs goal 🤣🤣I’ve always remembered that John👍