The modern day footballer likes to complain, they should learn about Alec McNair and count their blessings for being so privileged.
Alec McNair is a prominent figure in the history of Celtic football club. In a 21 year career with the club, the longest tenure of any player he made a record 583 league appearances winning a total of 18 major honours.
The right back was an accomplished player and was once described by Willie Maley as “the coolest, most intelligent player I have ever seen.”
It was his spirit and determination as well as his natural ability that sees him regarded as a legendary figure in the history of Celtic football club.
Alec’s time as a player was interrupted by the outbreak of World War One, and like most players back then he had to combine a job with plying his trade as a footballer.
That meant working 12 hour shifts whilst playing on a Saturday, and although it paled into significance to what the young men of the country were experiencing in the bloody trenches it was still a gruelling experience.
For Alec though it was to prove a more gruelling experience than the rest of his teammates as he unfortunately suffered the agony of losing his wife in 1915. Her untimely death meant that Alec was faced with the reality of juggling his job and football whilst also bringing up and providing for his five children.
A difficult job even for two parent families amidst the chaos and poverty that wartime brought to ordinary working class households.
Alec McNair however was a fighter and done his duties as a worker, footballer and parent without any complaining. He fought hard to provide for his family whilst also continuing to play for Celtic until the ripe old age of 41. Quite an accomplishment that can only be admired.
When you think of what the modern footballer complains of in the present, it pales into significance when you learn of the difficulties that Alec had to face. They should all count their blessings for being so privileged.
Alec McNair was a forgotten Celtic legend until the late, great Celtic Historian and of course a writer on The Celtic Star, decided to write his biography and for those of you looking for a brilliant Celtic read it is highly recommended and available for just a tenner plus postage via Celticstarbooks.com/shop – Alec McNair. Celtic’s Icicle and a true Celtic great…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
