Jamie Smith came through the Celtic youth ranks at a time the club was going through a very successful period under Martin O’Neill…
So it was naturally a tall order for any youngster to break into a side which boasted serval talented players in the successful Martin O’Neill era.
A fast, pacy, and direct winger who could play on either flank, Alexandria born Jamie, who had been at the club since his school days signed for the club professionally in 1997.
Jamie would make his full debut at 19 under John Barnes in a UEFA cup qualifying tie against Welsh minnows Cwmbran Town, and he made it a dream debut as he bagged a goal in a 4-0 win at Celtic Park.
Smith impressed in his early few outings, but would spent the rest of the campaign learning his trade in the reserves, whilst also experiencing a loan spell at Livingston.
When Martin O’Neill arrived, Jamie Smith was involved more in the squad, although his appearances where fleeting, with just the odd appearance from the bench, which was understandable considering the squad boasted some great talent, some of the best players to have played at the club in years gone by.
Jamie was handed a chance in tough league cup quarter final fixture against Hearts at Tynecastle, as were his youth colleagues Stephen Crainey, and Colin Healy, and Jamie along with his fellow youngsters all scored in a 5-2 extra time win for the Hoops, helping Celtic break Hearts yet again. Some things never change.
Jamie would win his first major honour with the club after coming on as a late substitute in the 3-0 Henrik Larsson inspired League Cup final win over Kilmarnock.
Despite winning that League Cup medal, he missed out on a league winners gong, as he didn’t play the required number of games. Jamie was also overlooked for the Scottish Cup final win over Hibs as the Hoops completed a domestic clean sweep for the first time in 32 years.
The next couple of seasons saw Jamie in a similar predicament, as his appearances were only fleetingly, but he played in enough matches to earn a league winners medal for the 2001/2002 campaign.
Jamie also got to appear in a few games on the iconic UEFA cup final run to Seville, most notably he was handed a start in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Celtic Park in the quarter final first leg, and appeared as a substitute in the memorable 2-0 win at Anfield that saw the Bhoys reach the semi finals.
A month later he made an appearance as a late sub in the 1-0 semi final win over Boavista that clinched a place in the final. In the final itself, Jamie had the honour of being named in Martin O’Neill’s squad, and although he was an unused substitute, it would have been a terrific experience all the same.
Despite suffering disappointment as the club finished the campaign empty handed, it would prove to be a good one on a personal note for Jamie as he won two caps for the Scottish national side.
The next campaign was very much the same for Jamie, in that he was sparingly used, but played enough games to earn a league winners medal, but it was evident he would have to move on in search of regular first team football, and it came as no surprise when he cut his years long association with the club when he opted to join Dutch side ADO Den Haag.
A year later he was back in Scotland as he joined Aberdeen, where he stayed for four years before moving across the pond to join MLS side Colorado Rapids who he played for until his retirement from the game in 2013.
Jamie suffered from the standard of player that Celtic had at our disposal twenty five years ago. He’d have walked into the current Celtic team.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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