McIlroy, James

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Personal

Fullname: James McIlroy
aka: Jimmy McIlroy, Jim McIlroy
Born: 19 July 1930
Died: […]
Birthplace:Glasgow
Signed: 19 July 1950
Left: 1 March 1956 (to Third Lanark)
Position: Centre-half, Centre-forward
Debut: Hibernian 1-1 Celtic, League, 6 Dec 1952 (scored a debut goal)
Internationals: none

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Biog

“Big, Smiling Jimmy McIlroy” signed for Celtic in July 1950 from Duntocher Hibernian. Originally he was a centre-forward but later converted to a centre-half.

He had been with the RAF locally and had been training with Doncaster Rovers, so Celtic played him at centre-half in a 3-2 defeat away to Doncaster Rovers in a friendly in November 1952. The game was notable as it was the first time in the 20th century that Celtic had played under floodlights in the UK.

His competitive debut came on 6th December 1952 in a 1-1 league draw at Hibs where he had an outstanding match. He thundered home a sensational goal after collecting a clearance from Hunter at the half way line, and then took off on a run leaving Hibs defenders in his wake and fired home from 12 yards.

“McIlroy makes bright debut for Celtic“, “Big Jim brought joy to Celtic“, “McIlroy did a great job of winning his Celtic spurs“,  it was all said after his debut. After his second match, it was said “[he] led the line with the coolness of a veteran“.

While his early performances showed great potential, scoring a goal in each of his first three league games (v Hibs, Dundee, Falkirk) which was exceptional, Celtic then went on a poor run losing the next few games and his form dipped so he was dropped.

On his return to the first team in March 1953, Jimmy McIlroy found himself converted to centre-half and was now the understudy to skipper Jock Stein. Celtic won the first game in his new role, 3-1 v Partick Thistle but were then trounced 4-0 away to Dundee.

He was to suffer from a disastrous triple fracture of the leg and was out of action in plaster until almost the close of season 1953/54. He was therefore to miss out on the bulk of the majestic league & cup double winning season, Celtic’s greatest achievement for around a generation or so.

After recovering from the leg break, in his return match v Airdrie in March 1954 it almost turned into a disaster when he almost conceded an own goal, but thankfully for him it was recovered by his colleague. Celtic still went on to win 6-0. He played in one more match coming in for a rested Jock Stein, in a 1-0 victory over Hamilton in April 1954 two days after Celtic had won the Scottish Cup. It was the last league game of the season, and his last competitive appearance for Celtic’s first team.

He only played three games in the league campaign that season, once at the start of the season and then two matches towards the end as a makeshift for Jock Stein. Only a small part but after what he had suffered in lost time from injury, it was something at least.

He moved on to Third Lanark in March 1956 after 12 league and Scottish Cup appearances and 3 goals for Celtic. However, his career didn’t last long there and he was freed the same year by Third Lanark, and soon moved down south to Barrow in June 1956.