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Personal
Fullname: John Paul McBride
Born: 28 November 1978
Birthplace: Hamilton, Scotland
Height: 5ft, 10in (1.78m)
Signed: 1 Aug 1995
Left: 5 Feb 1999
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 4-1 Raith Rovers, League, 17 Aug 1996
International Caps: none
Biog
Promising midfielder John Paul McBride was a Scotland Under 21 international who had impressed at youth and reserve level.
The teenager made his first team debut as a substitute on 17th August 1996 in a league clash with Raith at Parkhead which the Celts won 4-1. Over the next couple of seasons a sparse few appearances were made by McBride as he failed to force himself into the first team picture.
In December 1998 he talked of needing to leave Celtic in order to get a game (understandable and same for any young player in such a frustrating situation). The club stated he could go on loan if he signed a new 3-year deal, so it showed some confidence in his long-term future at the club.
It wasn’t to be. He was put on the transfer list and left the club in the summer of 1999 to St Johnstone for a reported £200,000.
Annoyingly for him, he only played games in seasons 1996/97 and 1998/99, so missed out on even a walk-on part in the wonderful 1997/98 season where Celtic stopped Rangers winning ten-in-a-row, achieving Celtic’s incredible one-in-a-row league title. The environment was such that the side was so desperate to win the title that young prospects were relegated in priority, and Wim Jansen in particular seemed to put little focus on youth, a curious point as Dutch coaches have historically put an emphasis on this.
Post-Celtic
He was with St Johnstone till the end of the 2001/02 season. After suffering injury problems, he was released by them after their relegation from the SPL and joined FC Aarhus in Denmark on a non-contract basis before joining up with Derry City in 2003.
Signed to Aarhus’ second club (known as ‘Aarhus Fremad’ pre 1999 and after 2004) after guesting for them in a glamour friendly against Manchester United on 6th August 2002. The then sports director, legendary player Flemming Povlsen, took JP on before the pair left when the club “underwent economical downsizing” in November 2002.
McBride was with Derry City for only three months before returning to Scotland and signing for Partick Thistle in the summer transfer window. Despite earning the nickname ‘Veron’ [in reference to the expensive Argentinian footballer], he was released after a single season with Partick Thistle & then signed with Stenhousemuir. He remained with the club for three years, scoring 19 goals.
He joined Stirling Albion in May 2007 and lasted only the one season at Forthbank. He made a playing comeback with Wishaw Juniors in July 2010.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1995-99 |
0 (4) |
0 |
0 |
0 (1) |
0 (5) |
| Goals: |
0 | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Years | Club | App (Sub)* | Gls |
| 1996-1999 | Celtic | 0 (4) | 0 |
| 1999-2002 2002-2003 2003 2003-2004 2004-2007 2007-2008 |
St. Johnstone FC Aarhus Derry City Partick Thistle Stenhousemuir Stirling Albion |
70 ? ? 21 89 19 |
5 ? 1 1 19 2 |
Pictures
Honours with Celtic
None