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Fullname: Alan Roderick Rough
aka: Alan Rough, Roughie, Scruffie
Born: 25 November 1951
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
Signed: 9 August 1988 (from Orlando Lions)
Left: 23 December 1988 (to Hamilton Academical)
Position: Goalkeeper
First game: Ayr United 4-1 home League Cup 17 August 1988
Last game: Dundee United 1-0 home League 12 October 1988
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 53
International Goals: 0
Biog
Former Scotland international keeper Alan Rough came to Celtic at the tale end of his career, on a free transfer from Orlando Lions in August 1988.
Alan Rough is best remembered for being part of the the debacle that was the Scotland World Cup campaign in 1978 (not that he was by any way the poorest performer out there). It does have to be said that he was instrumental in Scotland’s qualification to both the 1978 and 1982 World Cup finals with many fine displays.
He first came to the attention of Celtic fans with an unforgettable game in the 1971 League Cup final when humble Partick Thistle sensationally beat Jock Stein’s all powerful Celtic by 4-1 in one of Scottish football’s greatest ever upsets.
The Gorbals-born 36-year-old had been a player-coach in the US immediately before his surprise switch to Parkhead. The move came about as Celtic first choice keeper Pat Bonner was recuperating from a back injury while replacement Ian Andrews had gone down with a virus. Celtic were desperate for cover for goalkeeping especially with Allen McKnight leaving.
World Cup veteran Rough made his debut in a 4-1 League Cup victory at home to Ayr United on August 17th, and in time replaced Andrews who couldn’t shake off a poor set of results, with just the one clean sheet and a 5-1 defeat to Rangers. Celtic at this point having a hangover following the successes of the previous season.
The former Partick Thistle man a total of just seven competitive games – including two clean sheets – before joining Hamilton on December 23rd.
He had an especially good game against Honved at Parkhead in the European Cup in October 1988 when Celtic overturned a 1-0 deficit by winning 4-0, and was to be a popular figure with the fans during his short stay at the club. However, he did concede a number of goals in that brief number of games, seven goals, including three in a 3-1 loss to Hibs in the league.
Alan Rough had always been a Celtic fan and was linked to big money moves to both Celtic and Rangers (and several English clubs) at his peak in the 1970’s but nothing ever materialised.
In May 1982, Alan Rough was giving a deserved testimonial from Partick Thistle and Celtic were chosen to play a Scotland select at Firhill. Some of his Scotland world cup team mates (e.g. Joe Jordan, Asa Hartford) turned out in support. A respectable crowd of 14,000 attended which was decent considering that Sandy Jardine’s testimonial game at Ibrox against Southampton was played on the same day and that Celtic had already played three league games in the previous eight days (including the night before).
Alan Rough was only a temporary goalkeeper but did well, especially as expectations were low and it was a very poor season for Celtic after the triumphs of the previous Centenary double. He did take pride in his short spell stating:
“I’m just glad to be able to say I played for Celtic”.
It’s a great pity that Alan Rough did not get to join Celtic at his peak, but also fair to say that unlucky not to play for Celtic at their best too.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Shut-outs: | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 (29%) |
Honours with Celtic
none