The Celtic Star
·02 de março de 2024
Celtic’s greatest team: Pre-World War 2 – Midfield
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·02 de março de 2024
In today’s article, we will be looking at the options for our defensive midfielder, to sit and protect our ‘Willie Maley XI’ defence and provide the springboard for all-out attack. This role is sometimes referred to as ‘the number 6’ in modern-day football. Once again, we have some absolutely outstanding candidates, so here is our shortlist, as always in chronological order.
Note that the number of appearances does exclude Charity Cup matches and friendlies and can occasionally differ by a small margin in different record sources, however, it will give you a sense of length and consistency of service etc.
Debut for Celtic: v Motherwell, April 1920Final game: v Arbroath, February 1929Total appearances: 324
Another of Celtic’s legendary wing-halves. Although born in Bathgate, ‘Jean’ arrived at the club via that prolific Fife nursery Wellesley Juniors.
Debut for Celtic: v Motherwell, February 1924Final game: v Dundee, April 1934Total appearances: 423
A wonderful, elegant wing-half who was a beautiful passer of the ball, Peter was a mainstay of Willie Maley’s first great Celtic team of the 1930s.
Debut for Celtic: v Third Lanark, September 1928Final game: v Dumbarton, December 1940Total appearances: 368
This wonderful wing-half and fans’ favourite was a lynchpin in both of Willie Maley’s great teams of the 1930s and was equally effective on either flank.
Debut for Celtic: v Partick Thistle, April 1932Final game: v Clyde, August 1945Total appearances: 355
Another of Celtic’s all-time greats who featured in Willie Maleys’ excellent teams of the 1930s. ‘Calum’ could play just about anywhere in the team to great effect, starring on the wing, at centre-half and in midfield.
Debut for Celtic: v Airdrieonians, April 1933Final game: v Rangers, June 1946Total appearances: 308
Although he made his Celtic debut at centre-forward, George is another from the line of great Celtic wing-halves who returned to the club in a coaching capacity following his retiral from the playing side. What an incredible list of candidates for this role anchoring our unique midfield.
Who will be chosen?
Willie Maley
If you’re just catching up with this intriguing selection, here’s a very brief reminder of the story so far, a recap of the shortlists already published exclusively in The Celtic Star.
Goalkeeper – Dan McArthur, Davie Adams, Charlie Shaw, John Thomson or Joe Kennaway
Right-sided defender – Barney Battles, ‘Sunny Jim’ Young, Alec McNair, Willie McStay or Bobby Hogg
Central defender – James Kelly, Willie Loney, Peter Johnstone, Jimmy McStay or Willie Lyon
Left-sided defender – Dan Doyle, Willie Orr, Jimmy ‘Dun’ Hay, Joe Dodds, Willie ‘Peter’ McGonagle or Jock Morrison
Willie Maley’s book The Story of Celtic
It’s an excellent way to get through an international weekend with a Celtic fix, have yourself and your company a load of fun whilst raising money for the wonderful work carried out in our name by Celtic FC Foundation.
You can pick up your tickets now at the link below. Please note that ticket sales will end this coming Monday, 4 March, so snap them up whilst you still can!
Hail Hail,
Matt Corr
Follow Matt on X/Twitter @Boola_vogue…
…and keep up to date with progress and news of this fabulous event on our social media platforms @CFCF_Supporters.
Ao vivo
Ao vivo
Ao vivo