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Fullname: Thomas McDermott
aka: Tommy McDermott, Tom McDermott
Born: 12 January 1878
Died: 30 June 1961
Birthplace: Bridgeton, Glasgow
Signed: 26 October 1901 (from Dundee)
Left: 23 May 1903 (to Everton)
Position: Inside Forward
Debut: Hearts 2-2 Celtic, League, 2 Nov 1901
Internationals: none
Biog
Tommy McDermott was a talented inside forward who signed for Celtic in October 1901 from Dundee.
A clever and creative talent, Bridgeton born McDermott had first caught the eye while a member of Cambuslang Hibernian, but he had moved east after impressing for Dundee in a series of trial games. He made his Celtic debut in a 2-2 league draw at Hearts on 2nd November 1901 but his early performances for the Bhoys suffered from what appeared to be a lack of match fitness.
His first season appearances in 1901/02 were mostly in the Scottish Cup (as the league was wrapped up in Jan 1901). He helped Celtic get to the final (after scoring a goal in a 3-2 win over St Mirren in the semi-final) but Celtic lost the final to Hibernian. It was to be the only time Hibs would win the Scottish Cup in the 20th Century, and their last time for 100 years when they were to defeat TheRangers.
There was no doubting McDermott’s talent though and once up to speed he was an asset to the team, being a pivotal member of the side which won the Glasgow Exhibition Cup in 1901, defeating Sunderland and Rangers.
He was a regular for most of season 1902/03, scoring four goals in the season, but Celtic were mostly poor that season finishing fifth in the league and knocked out early of the Scottish Cup by Rangers, so changes to the squad were in line to be made.
He made a total of 21 league & Scottish Cup appearances for Celtic – and scored four goals – before departing Parkhead in May 1903 for Everton after seemingly being unwilling to fall in line with the training and discipline standards set by Willie Maley.
Tommy McDermott went on to enjoy another decade in the game, and was in the Everton squad that came within a point of the league title in 1905. He later played for various clubs north and south of the border including Chelsea, Dundee, Gainsborough Trinity, Kilmarnock, Dundee Hibernian (now Dundee United), Forfar Athletic, Anfield Royal, Wirral Railway, St Helens Recreation, Vale of Leven, Bradford City, Broxburn Shamrock and seems to have wrapped up his time with Clyde in 1914.
Later Celtic favourite ‘Trooper’ Joe Cassidy paid great tribute to Tommy McDermott in 1924, a measure of the impact that Tommy McDermott had on supporters:
“The finest footballer I ever saw. When I was a kid I used to watch him with intense delight when he played for Clyde. If ever there was a master of the ball it was Tommy. He could do what he liked with it.“
He passed away in 1961 and was buried in Rutherglen Cemetery.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1901-03 | 12 | 9 | – | – | 21 |
| Goals | 2 | 2 | – | – | 4 |
Honours with Celtic
Empire Exhibition Cup
