Reid, John

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Note: There has also been a chairman of Celtic with the same name as this player, but note they shouldn’t be confused by readers as being the same person. See John Reid (chairman)

Personal

Fullname: John Holt Reid
aka: Ian Reid, John Reid
Born: 22 May 1934
Died: […]
Birthplace: Edinburgh
Signed: 5 Mar 1953
Left: 30 Apr 1957 (free); 5 Aug 1957 (Airdire)
Debut: Celtic 1-2 Hibernian, League, 2 Apr 1955
Position: Inside Forward
Internationals: n/a

Biog

John Reid was signed by Celtic in March 1953 from Armadale Thistle.

An inside-forward the Edinburgh-born player made his debut at home to Hibs on April 2nd 1955 when the Bhoys lost the league encounter 2-1. It was Celtic’s first loss at home in two seasons, and actually was to be the only game in which he experienced a defeat with Celtic.

He played a total of four games for the Celtic first team and scored one goal – the only goal of the game in a league match at Dundee on April 9th 1955, so he will be recalled with some pride as having been a match winner. According to a match report, Celtic scored in the 27th minute when Reid beat two of Dundee’s defenders (Gray and Gallacher), and then lofted a ball into the goal which confused the goalkeeper (Brown) enough to miss the ball. A fine moment to remember.

He was a makeshift for a short spell in the 1954/55 season, which ended unsuccessfully in Celtic’s attempts to retain the league title, coming second to Aberdeen by just 3pts. Celtic still had a very good record that season, losing only three league games (it was the numerous draws that killed off the title challenge). He did play in Celtic’s 2-1 home league victory over Aberdeen that was a bit of an empty reward for the side, but a good note for John Reid.

Jimmy Walsh returned for the Scottish Cup final matches (which involved a replay) which Celtic were to lose to Clyde in the replay 1-0, and so sadly John Reid missed out on playing in a Scottish Cup final despite having played various league games around those matches.

However, John Reid wasn’t given many more opportunities, with just one final appearance in a home league match the next season v Raith Rovers (2-0 victory).

Despite the fine record with the first team, his stay was sadly short. Celtic was a mostly poor place for aspiring footballers at this time, and he had just missed the best times as Celtic had won the league & Scottish Cup double in 1953/54 which was a rare bright light amongst much of the gloom during the McGrory management years. On the other hand, Celtic had come close to retaining the league title in which John Reid was so close to being part of a league winning side.

With Celtic faltering badly in the league in season 1955/56, John Reid was loaned out to Alloa later that year and eventually released by Celtic on 1st May 1957. He joined Airdrie in 1957, and then returned to Alloa in 1958 continuing an association with that club that had begun with his loan spell back in 1955.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

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