Millar, Alexander

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Personal

Fullname: Alexander Millar
aka: Alex Millar, Alex Miller, Alexander Miller
Born: 21 October 1911
Died: 28 January 1978
Birthplace: Mossend (Lanarkshire)
Signed: 22 May 1935; 5 Oct 1940 (loan for 1 game)
Left: 13 Oct 1938 (to Preston North End)
Position: Centre-half
Debut: Celtic 1-1 Kilmarnock, League, 5 Oct 1935
Internationals: none

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Biog

Mossend-born Alexander Millar fulfilled a boyhood dream when he signed for his beloved Celtic from Shawfield Juniors in May 1935. He was mad about Celtic, and used to follow them on long away trips.

A centre-half he eventually made his debut at outside-right in place of Jimmy Delaney who was on international duty. Celtic drew that league game 1-1 at Kilmarnock.

A stalwart for the successful Celtic reserve side Alex Millar found first team opportunities few and far between due to the excellence of Willie Lyon. He was however a more than capable deputy but in October 1938 he left for Preston North End in search of regular first team football.

He played five league games at the start of the 1937/38 season, and Celtic were unbeaten. This helped Celtic launch their way to the league title that season, and so Alex Millar deserves respect for his part in that title victory. On the other hand, Celtic were still leaking goals, conceding six goals in those games.

He still got to play for Celtic in the unofficial British Championship match v Sunderland (Sep 1936), which ended in a 1-1 draw. A game which apparently saw: “clever football, but few goals, Glasgow Celtic give Sunderland a demonstration in heading“.

After the outbreak of the Second World War he returned on loan for one Regional League game in October 1940. That match meant that Alex Millar played a total of 11 league games in his career for Celtic.

When playing for Morton, The Glasgow Herald once reportedly glowingly on Alex Miller’s ability on-field:

“Miller, another former Celtic, expends as little energy as a centre half as does Divers as an inside forward, but he is equally successful. Time and again on Saturday he delayed his tackle until the last second in order to baulk the bustling ramstam Thistle forwards.” (12 Jan 1948)

Alex Millar was of Lithuanian descent, one of three children (2 boys & 1 girl). Most likely the first of the second generation Lithuanian to have played for Celtic whose community was to give Celtic the wonderful Billy McNeill and John Jack.

He went on to make a name for himself later as secretary of the Scottish Player’s Union until November 1950 and condemned the nascent power of FIFA as a Bosses’ plot to deprive the players further of a decent livelihood. You have to admire his strength in character in standing up for players’ rights and it’s great to be able to count such a man as one our our own.

He passed away in January 1978.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League