Celtic Star’s message, Andy Payton – You’ll Never Walk Alone

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The Celtic Star

·8 May 2025

Celtic Star’s message, Andy Payton – You’ll Never Walk Alone

We are all praying for former Celtic striker Andy Payton, the latest footballer to be diagnosed with early on set dementia at the age of just 57…

The Englishman had a short spell with the club in the early nineties and is still fondly remembered by supporters for his goals and commitment in what was a very troublesome time for Celtic.

Andy blames the rigours of football for his condition and research backs him up on that due to the number of ex-pros who develop the disease in later life, our very own Billy McNeill being one of them.

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Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

Former Celtic favourite Chris Sutton is also outspoken on the subject having been affected by the death of his ex footballer father Mike, and is an Ambassador for the group Football against dementia which is also open to not just footballers as they aim to help those affected whilst calling for changes in the modern game to halt the number of pros being affected by the condition in later life.

We all back groups such as Chris Sutton’s and hope it can make a difference to those affected, whether that be the individual or their families. I’m sure you will say a prayer for them all including of course our very own Andy Payton.

Celtic Star Andy Paton

Andy Payton was a more than decent striker for Celtic during the dark era that was the early 1990s. Signed from Middlesbrough in a swap deal that saw Chris Morris head in the opposite direction, Andy arrived with a great reputation as a goalscorer after making his name as a striker in England’s second tier with Hull City scoring 57 goals for the Tigers in 165 appearances.

That impressive form saw Middlesbrough splash out £700,000 for his signature, a fee that was The Tigers record fee received at the time, and one that stood for 15 years.

Andy Payton Glasgow Celtic FC 21 September 1992 Photo Mary Evans Allstar – David Gadd

Things didn’t go so well at Boro and he struggled to impress scoring only three goals in 23 appearances not helped by injury problems, but that didn’t deter Liam Brady from bringing the Lancashire man to Glasgow.

At the time Andy wasn’t the most attractive signing and didn’t exactly excite the Celtic supporters, but he soon won us around with his goals and overall commitment. By the time he’d left just over a year later, he produced a decent return of 20 goals in 46 games, one of those coming in a memorable win over Rangers at Celtic Park in March 1993.

It was one of the poorest Celtic sides in living memory, which resulted in the dismissal of Liam Brady who was replaced by the underwhelming and disinterested Lou Macari, and with the well documented off the park problems it wasn’t exactly the best time to be at the club.

So it would have been difficult circumstances for any player to perform under, therefore Andy did remarkably well considering. Supporters were disappointed when Andy left, but due to personal reasons he departed down south to Barnsley in a swap deal that seen us getting the much maligned Wayne Biggins in return, another example of Lou Macari’s incompetence as a Celtic manager.

Andy Payton, Celtic Fc Photo The Celtic Wiki

Andy went on to have a decent career in England’s lower reaches with Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Burnley, and is still fondly remembered by the Celtic supporters today and often talk’s about his time at Celtic most fondly.

Best of luck Andy and remember, You’ll Never Walk Alone. Your Celtic family are with you every step of the way.

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