McDonald, Thomas

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Fullname: Thomas McDonald
aka: Tommy McDonald
Born: […]
Died: 1961 (Rutherglen)
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 24 Oct 1947 (Third Lanark)
Left: 12 May 1948 (to Alloa)
Position: Inside-forward
Debut: Celtic 4-3 Queen of the South, League, 25 Oct 1947 (scored once)
Internationals: none

Biog

Tommy McDonald was an inside-forward who signed for the Hoops in October 1947 from Third Lanark, having previously played with Cleland St Mary’s, then had a spell in the Royal Navy followed by time with St Roch’s.

Prior to playing for Celtic, he had scored twice coming on as a sub for Third Lanark in a match v Celtic. He said of the experience that:

“Scoring against Celtic was like having a tooth out“.

He once even scored a hat-trick for Thirds reserves against Celtic on 28 September 1946.

Once at Celtic, he made a scoring debut as Celtic beat Queen of the South 4-3 in a league tie at Parkhead on 25th October 1947. With that scoreline and how the season was to pan out, every goal counted as valuable in what was to be a disastrous season for Celtic.

In his most remarkable game, in November 1947, he carried the team after Celtic went 2-0 down to Partick Thistle (away), and pushed the side to a 5-3 win with a double of his own.

Despite some goals, sadly, after the new year (when Rangers defeated Celtic 4-0) he was given less opportunities in the first team as his goals dried up. Regardless of the early progress appears this is what likely signalled the end of his career at an underwhelming Celtic.

Tommy McDonald was a talented performer but he was judged as failing to hit the back of the net as frequently as required. However, he still managed a fairly respectable 7 goals in 13 league appearances and was top scorer for the team that season. It is incredible to look back and read that again that he was top scorer in the league for Celtic with just 7 goals. Possibly, he was partly made to carry the can for this side who managed to just stave off potential relegation (it was too close for comfort). Although, it appears that faith in the other strikers was overdone as they performed far worse.

Celtic were going through their nadir post-war (although the barren spell was long, harsh and still long to go). Sadly, Tommy McDonald was only at Celtic in this worst of seasons. Unfortunate luck for the man.

Also, it is Jock Weir and his hat-trick in the do or die final match of the season v Dundee that people remember most from that season, even though Tommy McDonald scored more that season. Tommy McDonald may not have scored as much as need be, but a goal per two games is not a bad return in a very poor side. Better record than the rest of the forwards from the squad. On the other hand, his goals were spread out over just five games early on before they dried up, but as Celtic won three and drew one of them, they were still pivotal points and helped Celtic survive from the ignominy of relegation.

He left the club in May 1948 for Alloa after 14 league & Scottish Cup appearances with 7 goals. Possibly he deserved more chances, but Celtic was very poorly run in those days at both board and team levels. It was to be a long time before this was rectified.

He remained for just a season with Alloa, leaving on a free in April 1949 before a trial with Arbroath and then Crusaders. He seems to have hung his boots up in 1950.

He passed away in 1961.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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