Mark Burchill was a good striker who didn’t fulfil his potential, but he had a decent career all the same…

Mark Burchill Glasgow Celtic FC 24 August 1998. Photo Mary Evans Allstar Graham Whitby Boot

Mark Burchill was handed his Celtic debut by Dr Jozef Venglos in August 1998 in a shock League Cup defeat at Airdie. A few days later he would go on to score his first goal for the club against Dundee United in a 2-1 win at Celtic Park.

Mark had only turned 18 when he made his debut but he was highly rated at the club due to his performances in the youth side and Venglos had no qualms about throwing him into the Celtic first team.

Burch had all the attributes to go far in the game and was tipped to go to the very top, even making his Scotland debut in October 1999 at the age of just 19.

Mark Burchill, Fulton & Locke Hearts V Celtic 20 November 1999. Photo Mary Evans Allstar Richard Sellers 

In the end he found it hard to break into a Celtic side that contained the likes of Henrik Larsson, Harald Brattbakk, Mark Viduka, Ian Wright, Tommy Johnson and Chris Sutton during his time at Celtic.

Despite his lack of opportunities Mark still found the net, boasting an overall record of 24 goals in 53 appearances, a very decent return considering a bulk of his appearances came from the bench.

His most notable goals being the fifth goal in the 5-1 hammering of Rangers in 1998, and a three minute hat trick in a UEFA cup tie against Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg, which was the fastest hat trick in European club football, a record I believe still stands today.

That hat trick was under the leadership of Martin O’Neill, and despite it giving Mark some hope that he could challenge for a first team place, it never materialised, which was no shame as in front of him was Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton.

16 Sep 1999: Mark Burchill is challenged by Shimon Gereson of Hapoel during the UEFA Cup Round 1, Leg 1, Celtic v Hapoel Tel-Aviv game played at Celtic Park.  Photo: Michael Cooper /Allsport

Mark was soon shipped out on loan and went to Birmingham City followed by a loan spell at Ipswich town. Mark would then sign permanently for Portsmouth in 2001. Things started well at Pompey as he struck up a good partnership with Peter Crouch before a knee injury sidelined him for a lengthy spell.

After struggling to get back in the Portsmouth side, Mark went out on several loan deals to a host of Scottish and English sides and bounced from side to side throughout the years. Mark Burchill still carved himself a decent career all the same, but he never recaptured the form he had as a promising youngster at Celtic.

Mark Burchill’s career photos are shown below….

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