Russell, David

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Fullname: David Russell
Born: Davie Russell
Born: 9 January 1871
Died: 8 November 1952 in Fauldhouse (see notes below)
Birthplace: Airdrie
Signed: May 1896 (from Hearts); 10 May 1899 (from Preston North End)
Left: 2 May 1898 (to Preston North End); 18 Aug 1903 (to Broxburn)
Position: Centre-half [in those days more of a midfield position]
Debut: Hibernian 3-1 Celtic, League, 15 Aug 1896
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 6 (4 with Celtic)
International Goals: 1 goal

Biog

Sandy-haired miner David Russell made his Celtic debut as a centre-half on August 15th 1896 in a 3-1 league defeat at Hibernian.

The Airdrie born player had signed for the Bhoys in May that year from Hearts and had previously won an English FA Cup winners medal with Preston’s ‘Invincibles‘ (then one of the game’s biggest names) where he had played as a robust forward.

He’d won a reputation as a bruiser, an important hallmark of any player in those more violent playing times.

He was well known for his long distance shooting (quite an art when you take in that footballs of the time were more like cannon-balls than the modern aerodynamic/ultra-light items they are now). For example, he scored a great long-distance goal in Johnny Madden’s benefit on 7 Sep 1897 v Rangers in a 3-1 defeat.

He was to play a pivotal role in Celtic’s league title success of 1898, scoring an excellent 9 goals in the league and were undefeated in the league.

One of his greatest performances in Celtic colours came in a friendly v Arsenal. On 15th Feb 1897, Celtic trailed 4-1 to Arsenal (who had Jimmy Boyle in their), only for Davie Russell to get stuck in and score a hat-trick in a 5-4 fightback victory.

One difficult match must have been the Ne’er day game v Rangers in January 1899. His brother had died on Hogmanay but he insisted on playing. The match was abandoned on 70 mins for encroachment by the supporters on the terraces.

He was definitely made of some stern material, as a fortnight later at Dundee, after Dan Doyle messed up a penalty which had to be retaken, Davie spat on his hands, stepped up and scored.

Davie Russell had actually rejoined Preston in 1898, but later returned to Celtic a season later and helped the Bhoys lift the 1900 Scottish Cup. Curiously though whilst before he was noted for goals in his first spell, he actually scored just twice for Celtic in his second spell (once in the Glasgow Cup and only once in the league).

He was the captain of the side when Celtic lost the Scottish Cup final to Hearts in 1901, in an admittedly hard fought match which ended 4-3 to Hearts.

He little played for Celtic thereafter this Scottisj Cup final, although he was brought out to play Hearts in four appearances (his only other Celtic match that season was in a 2-1 victory over Morton). He played against Hearts in two league games in November 2011, but Celtic drew the first 2-2 and then lost 2-1 in the following match. He finally got his victory in the Scottish Cup run in 1902/03, helping Celtic to defeat Hearts 2-0 to progress.

A commanding and reliable presence he didn’t though play in the Scottish Cup final at the end of the run, Celtic losing to Hibs.

He went on to join Broxburn in 1903.

David Russell was a fine Celtic player and one player who helped build the team on the pitch.

After his playing career, he returned to work in the coal mines. He survived serious injury in October 1906 when he was badly crushed in a roof fall at Greenriggs Colliery. He spent the rest of his life in Fauldhouse.

He passed away in 1952.

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Notes:

• From investigations, it appears that reports (as in ‘Alphabet of the Celts’) that David Russell was one of the victims in the Greenrig Pit incident (mining disaster) in Fauldhouse may not be correct. However research from “Men who made Scotland” by Andy Mitchell (2021) found he survived it and died in 1952
• He is often confused in the record books with another Scot called David Russell, from Stewarton, who also played for Preston.
• See:
  http://www.thecelticwiki.com/thread/4923372/David+Russell+Death
  http://celticgraves.com/topic/9539538/1/?x=50#new
  “Men who made Scotland” by Andy Mitchell (2021)

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1897-98
  

Scottish Cup

• 1900

Pictures

• Player Pics

Davie in his Scotland Top

Evening Times, 8th November, 1952

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