McKnight, Allen

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Biog

Allen McKnight signed for Celtic from Distillery in the summer of 1986, following closely behind another Northern Irishman, Anton Rogan.

On arriving in Glasgow, McKnight found himself as third choice goalkeeper behind Pat Bonner and Peter Latchford, and he was farmed out on a season-long loan to Albion Rovers. His time in the Scottish Second Division earned Allen McKnight valuable experience in the Scottish game, and also a Lanarkshire Cup winner’s medal.

On his return to Parkhead for season 1987/88, Allen McKnight found a new manager, Billy McNeill having replaced Davie Hay, and quickly found himself in the first team as Pat Bonner went down with a virus. Allen McKnight’s debut came in a 5-1 League Cup win at Dumbarton on 26th August 1987.

Three days later he made his Premier Division bow, keeping a clean-sheet in the heat of a Celtic v Rangers derby, Celtic defeating Rangers 1-0. Bonner reclaimed his place, but Allen McKnight’s twelve appearances and five clean-sheets helped the Championship trophy return to Parkhead in that celebrated Centenary season.

Season 1987/88 also saw Allen McKnight make his international début, displacing George Dunlop for the European Championship qualification match with Yugoslavia in October 1987 (both he & Anton Rogan were the first Northern Ireland caps of Celtic players since Peacock and Tully in the 1950s). He played every minute of that season’s internationals, six in all, and kept clean-sheets against Turkey, France and Malta.

Must add that sadly due to the political situation in N Ireland, McKnight received excessive abuse from the N Ireland terraces during matches for playing for Celtic. McKnight was brought up on the Unionist side, and so moving to Celtic was not accepted by the intolerant amongst his old countrymen. Regardless, he was always made welcome at Celtic, and even many years later after Celtic he returned to the club for visits at matches and was received very warmly. Reflects well on the club and support.

The highlight of Allen McKnight’s season was yet to come. Pat Bonner picked up calf and hamstring injuries in training just days before the Scottish Cup Final, and Billy McNeill kept the Republic of Ireland Number One’s injury a secret right up to the Final on the Saturday, with the Northern Ireland man a surprise between the sticks on the day. Celtic claimed the trophy, and the Double, with a 2-1 victory over Dundee United, although it was McKnight’s poor clearance that allowed Kevin Gallacher in for Dundee United’s leading goal which thankfully was to only be their consolation goal.

In July 1988, with Pat Bonner still Celtic’s obvious goalkeeping first choice, McKnight took the chance to play top flight football in England, with West Ham United manger John Lyall paying £250,000 for his services.

He had a mixed time at West Ham, and left in 1991, whereafter he was a journeyman playing for numerous clubs (including in China), hanging up his boots in 1997.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Premier Division

• 1987-88

Scottish Cup

• 1987-88

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Pictures

• Player Pics

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