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aka: Benny Rooney
Born: 1943
Died: 31 July 2023
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 1959
Height: 5′ 9” (175cm)
Position: Versatile
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 0
International Goals: 0
Biog
Benny began playing at Our Lady’s High, where he formed a formidable half-back line with John Cushley and Bobby Murdoch.
His father Bob Rooney (1920 – 1992) had also been a footballer, then became the physio/trainer of the Lisbon Lions and a life-saving hero of the 1971 Ibrox disaster.
Benny signed for Celtic in 1959 and was farmed out to Cambuslang Rangers and Petershill in the junior ranks. Then in November 1961 he was loaned to Dumbarton where he made his senior debut. After another season without making the breakthrough at Celtic he moved to Dundee United on a free transfer, aged 20, in 1963.
Became a prolific forward in United’s reserves but failed to become a regular and, after several transfer requests, moved to St. Johnstone for £3,500 in March 1966. Here he became a defender of some repute and after some 9 years he was on the move again, this time to Partick Thistle. Then in July 1976 he accepted the role of player/manager at Morton.
He stayed at Morton until 1983 and is remembered fondly for signing Andy Ritchie and getting them promoted into the Premier Division as a part-time club. A brief spell as Albion Rovers boss occurred in 1983/84, before Benny took the reigns at Partick Thistle – a position he relinquished in March 1986.
When Celtic entered a second Reserve team in the Reserve League West for 1988/89, Billy McNeill brought Rooney in to run it. He was made Youth Development Officer while Bobby Lennox looked after the Premier Reserves. This state of affairs continued until incoming Manager Lou Macari brought in his own backroom team in summer 1993.
Benny later ran the Queens Park Cafe pub on Glasgow’s South side. His son Kevin became an actor and featured in the cult MTV sitcom ‘top buzzer’.
Benny Rooney passed away in 2023.
Playing Career
| League Appearances | League goals | ||
| 1959/60 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| Cambuslang Rangers | ? | ? | |
| 1960/61 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| Petershill | ? | ? | |
| 1961/62 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| Dumbarton (loan) | 7 | 0 | |
| 1962/63 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
| 1963/64 | Dundee United | 8 | 1 |
| 1964/65 | Dundee United | 4 | 0 |
| 1965/66 | Dundee United | 10 | 3 |
| St. Johnstone | 7 | 2 | |
| 1966/67 | St. Johnstone | 22 | 0 |
| 1967/68 | St. Johnstone | 32 | 0 |
| 1968/69 | St. Johnstone | 32 | 1 |
| 1969/70 | St. Johnstone | 34 | 1 |
| 1970/71 | St. Johnstone | 30 | 1 |
| 1971/72 | St. Johnstone | 28 | 2 |
| 1972/73 | St. Johnstone | 34 | 4 |
| 1973/74 | St. Johnstone | 3 | 0 |
| Partick Thistle | 22 | 0 | |
| 1974/75 | Partick Thistle | 20 | 1 |
| 1975/76 | Partick Thistle | 20 | 2 |
| 1976/77 | Greenock Morton | 0 | 0 |
Pictures
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Former Celt Benny Rooney passes away
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/july/31/former-celt-benny-rooney-passes-away/
By Joe Sullivan
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31 Jul 2023, 3:59 pm
Everyone at Celtic Park was saddened to hear the news that former Celt, Benny Rooney has sadly passed away at the age of 80.
Benny joined the club in 1959 and although he never played a competitive first-team game for the team, he has always remained a part of the Celtic Family, even when he left for pastures new in 1963 when he joined Dundee United after a loan spell at Dumbarton.
It was while in the reserves that he formed a lifelong close friendship with Billy McNeill and Mike Jackson and all three Celts were often in each other’s company on a weekly basis long after their playing careers ended.
The defender had a long spell with St Johnstone where he became captain, and led out the Saints in their first major cup final alongside his great friend Cesar, who led the Celts out in the 1969 League Cup final.
Also on Celtic duty that day was Benny’s Dad, Bob Rooney, the famed Celtic physio of the Lisbon Lion years and one of Jock Stein’s trusted backroom Bhoys.
He finished his playing career with Partick Thistle before managing Morton, Thistle and Albion Rovers prior to following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a backroom Bhoy himself.
That was when he returned to Paradise and teamed up with Lisbon Lion, Bobby Lennox as reserve coach in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with the Rooney family and friends at this sad time.
Benny’s family has asked Celtic Football Club to express its sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who have paid their respects to Benny directly and indirectly.
Benny’s wife Marion and children Kevin and Debbie are all very grateful to so many people who have shown such warmth and kindness at such a difficult time.
The family has been inundated with messages of love and support, all of which they hugely appreciate.
