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Personal
Fullname: (unknown) McLaughlin
aka: McLaughlan
Born: n/a
Birthplace: n/a
Signed: 1892 (trial ?)
Position: Defender
Debut: Vale of Leven 2-2 Celtic, League, 2 Apr 1892
Internationals: n/a
Biog
Little is known about this player who replaced Dan Doyle for the league clash at Vale of Leven on 2nd April 1892. Dan Doyle was away on international duty playing England, along with another couple of Celts.
With Dan Doyle not available for the match, the youngster known as McLaughlin – first name unknown – stepped in for the 2-2 draw. Seems to have got positive feedback from the match report:
“Campbell of the Vale kicked off, but Celts were at once round the goal, and for a minute or two its downfall seemed imminent.
“The Vale gradually worked up, but McLauchlan stopped their progress, and a good run by McCallum and a weak effort by the Vale goalkeeper enabled the Celtic to put on the first goal.”
So he appeared to have played his part, so possibly had a fair game despite two goals conceded. However taking the place of fans favourite Dan Doyle was always going to be a challenge too far for anyone. Scotland were hammered 4-1 at home by England, so maybe the players should have stayed to play at Celtic instead.
A few days later Celtic played Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup final replay winning 5-0, but no place for this trialist. It was Celtic’s first major title, and so McLaughlin just missed out on a bit of history.
He didn’t get to play in the friendly v Notts Forest either played during the interim period between his debut & the Scottish Cup final, so looks like he was wholly assessed on the basis of this one single game v Vale of Leven.
Then again, possibly he was drafted in only to fill in for that one game alone for Dan Doyle who was away on international duty.
McLaughlin is believed to have been on trial at Celtic from Benburb but never made another appearance for the Bhoys.
The Celtic reserve team was mostly made up from the Junior ranks, many from the local Irish teams. Players could also be drafted in from Carfin Shamrock, Broxburn Shamrock, etc straight into the first team on occasion, before professionalism, as the need required.
In 1893, in a 5-1 league win over Dumbarton, one of the Celtic players is “Laughlin” / “Loughlin” but no other details are known about him! Possibly his only ever Celtic match ever for Celtic. First name not known. He didn’t last long, “The play continued vigorously, and Loughlin had to retire suffering from an injury“. It could be that Celtic played some player and gave them a pseudonym to get round some appearance rule. Not unknown in those days.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1892 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Goals | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
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Articles
Scotland played England at Ibrox in April 1892, losing 4-1. John Bell scored for Scotland while Edgar Chadwick, John Southworth and John Good all with two goals scored for England. The Scottish Referee previewed the match and gave details of the players.
THE SCOTTISH ELEVEN
W. McLEOD (Dumbarton), Goal. A safe and reliable custodian, who has long done duty for the Sons of the Rock. His eye is always on the ball, and his feet and hands act in unison with his quick eyesight. He lacks the brilliancy of Macaulay, the prince of goalkeepers, but McLeod’s work can always be depended upon. He bears an historic name, and plays a noble game. D. DOYLE (Celtic), Right Back. On this occasion daring Dan prefers the left, where he is invariably “right.” He is a shining League light, plays a gentlemanly game, and seldom has a foul given against him for questionable tactics. First cap. R. SMELLIE, Left Back. The “irommaster” of the Queen’s — a resolute, hardy left back who knows his place, and keeps it, and his duty, and does it. Never says die, and has on more than one occasion been the salvation of the Spiders. D. SILLARS, Right Half. Another Hampden hum, who,as busy as a bee, works for the honour of his team. and on Saturday will work sternly to regain old Scotland’s prestige. Possessed of more energy than resource, he is yet the very man to break up the speedy English vanguard. and may show them how Scotland can win. J. KELLY, Centre Half. Scotland’s brightest gem, and lately one of the famous team who for some time possessed the proud title of “Champions of the World.” His over-head kicking, blocking, and tackling are superb, and he dearly loves a fleet dribble on his own account. D. MITCHELL,Left half. A true blue, who is a credit to the Rangers and to the game. Slow, but sure; he never loses his confidence, but plays with that quiet determination and purpose which have won him his cap, an honour he well deserves and which he will not disgrace. TAYLOR, Hearts. A graceful, wiry, outside right-winger, whose passing and shooting are up to first-class form, and whose consistent display all this season has well merited the distinction the Selecting Seven have conferred upon him. He is a true heart, and his battlecry is forward up victory. D. WADDELL, Inside Right. Small, but clever. A cute dodger, passer, and dribbler, who smiles when heavy weights flounder in attempting to charge him. J. BELL, Centre. A player whose excellence is due to his sterling capacity for hard work and stubborn resolution. A. McMAHON, Inside Left. One of Scotland’s most brilliant dribblers and passers, and a dead shot. W. SELLAR, Outside Left. A man who won his spurs long ago, and has never lost them. Always plays well against the English, and is determined to show his best form on this occasion.