McDonald, John

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Fullname: John Neil McDonald
aka: John McDonald
Born: 14 September 1931
Died: […]
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 2 December 1951
Left: 15 Dec 1953 (to St Mirren)
Position: Centre-forward
Debut: 9 August 1952, 1-0 St Mirren, League Cup
Internationals: None

Biog

After leaving the RAF, John was to become a highly rated and free scoring junior for Petershill, and was duly signed by Celtic in December 1951. Grimsby offered £350 for him but Celtic snatched him first.

The centre-forward moved to Parkhead from Petershill where he had earned a reputation as an extraordinary goal getter with an average of two a game.

He made his Hoops debut on 9th August 1952 in what was described as an experimental attack, and he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 League Cup win at St Mirren:

“Celtic’s young Centre alone on the mark in Paisley game.”
“A neat slip from Baillie to Tully was carried on to Pirrie whow as lying on the ground, was dispossessed by young McDonald and the ball was set trundling into the net.”

A great start and he showed it was no flash in the pan with a goal in his next appearance in the next match in the 5-2 defeat to Partick Thistle also in the league cup. So things boded well for him despite the admittedly humiliating defeat to Partick Thistle.

However, a short loan spell at Kilmarnock followed soon afterwards but he failed to impress, although he did score one goal in his three games there. He also had a loan to Leith Athletic.

Despite scoring a goal in each of his two first team appearances for Celtic, John McDonald was deemed not good enough for the highest level and was allowed to join St Mirren in December 1953.

A curious case after such an incredible start at Celtic, and sympathisers could argue he deserved more opportunities to prove himself at Celtic. Likely we may never know the full story, but Celtic were poorly managed throughout that time.

He actually left just as Celtic hit a short purple patch in the decade, winning the league & Scottish Cup double in 1953/54, and having won the Coronation Cup. So unfortunate to not have had a chance to have been a part of this experience on the field.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

None

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