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Personal
Fullname: Paul Gerald McLaughlin
aka: Paul McLaughlin
Born: 14 December 1965
Birthplace: Johnstone, Renfrewshire
Signed: 15 May 1989
Left: 15 May 1991
Height: 5′ 11″ (180cm)
Position: Left, Central Defender
Debut: Motherwell 2-0 Celtic, League, 25 Aug 1990
Internationals: none
Biog
A strong but limited centre-half Paul McLaughlin joined Celtic in May 1989 from Queen’s Park. Billy McNeill said: “We have high hopes for him.”
He made his debut as a sub in a 2-0 league defeat to Motherwell on 25th August 1990, with Celtic down to ten men for the whole of the second half giving Motherwell the opportunity to pounce and hammer Celtic with two second half goals. One report on that match said “Money they say can’t always buy success“, but hardly in Paul McLaughlin’s case was he an example of profligate spending by Celtic.
He was given a short run thereafter, which saw Celtic win three games and lose twice in total at the start of that poor season. He didn’t get to play any further matches to prove himself. A three nil defeat to Aberdeen in the league seemed to be a wake-up call to shake Celtic up, but it wasn’t to be so easy.
Problem was that it was a poor time to play for Celtic as it was the start of the Barren Years and Billy McNeill was at his poorest in this spell, losing his role as manager at the end of the season. Celtic finished third in the league standings, well behind Rangers and Aberdeen for the title.
Paul McLaughlin made a total of five first team appearances before moving on to Partick Thistle in February 1991 in a £150,000 double deal with Andy Murdoch.
Released by Partick in 1993 with some fairly uncomplimentary remarks about his weight ringing in his ears. John Lambie, the straight-talking & humorous Partick Thistle manager, remarked:
“He was given the chance to lose weight and didn’t take it.“
He went on to Derry City and signed for Ards in November 1995, where we believe he wrapped up his career.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1989-91 | 3 | 2 | – | – | 5 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
None, the Barren Years had begun.