Joe Craig was a highly sought after footballer in his youth with several big English sides keen on luring him down south…
However the Bridge of Allan born youngster was persuaded that he was better nurturing his talent in his homeland, by ex Celtic legend Bertie Auld and then Partick Thistle manager who helped develop his talents at Firhill.
Joe Craig signed for Celtic in 1976
Joe Craig signed for Celtic in 1976 after impressing Jock Stein with his qualities as a centre forward, particularly his height and strength, a trait that the legendary European Cup winning boss reckoned his side lacked at that time.
Joe made his debut in a home 2-2 draw with Arbroath on 18 September 1976, and his battling qualities were soon evident to everyone as he added an extra dimension to the Celtic forward line.
Joe Craig formed a great partnership with Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish was one of the main beneficiaries as Joe’s physical qualities complemented the talented Scotland International’s superb skill and goalscoring ability.
Ronnie Galvin was another who struck up a close on field relationship with Joe Craig, due to their time together at Firhill, and it was something that would have a positive effect on Celtic.
League and Scottish Cup winner in 1977
Joe scored a total of 23 league and cup goals that campaign, thus making a valuable contribution to our success. Celtic won the league and cup double that season. Indeed Joe was the man who scored the side’s winning goal in a 1-0 win against Hibs at Easter Road, a result that clinched the league title.
In the Scottish cup, he scored four in an early round replay against Airdrie, and hit a brace against Dundee in the semi-final. So our success in both competitions, was in a large way down to Joe’s contributions and his goals.
Joe Craig’s famous Scotland debut
Joe Craig also gained international recognition, when he was handed his first cap for Scotland, when he appeared from the bench against Sweden at Hampden, and scored with a header before even touching the ball with his feet!
And in doing so become a famous football quiz question, as he became the answer to the much loved teaser – ‘Who scored for Scotland before he even kicked a ball?’
The following season would be one of massive disappointment, for both Joe and the club, as we finished the campaign empty handed, as Joe struggled to live up to his prolific debut season, which might well have been down to the departure of Kenny Dalglish to Liverpool, with whom Joe struck up a great rapport.
Alfie Conn arrived at Celtic but King Kenny had gone
Since the departure of Dalglish, Celtic had added the likes of Alfie Conn to the forward line, and when new manager Billy McNeill arrived, he preferred an attacking partnership of Tom McAdam and a young George McCluskey.
Joe Craig was transferred to Blackburn Rovers in September 1978
So it came as no surprise when Joe was transferred to Blackburn Rovers for a reputed £50,000 fee in September 1978. Exactly two years after he joined. Joe Craig scored an impressive 37 goals in 73 appearances for Celtic with his winner at Ibrox possibly the best of the lot. It’s certainly his most famous! Here it is…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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1 Comment
Joe was a a really good player for us . He knew where the goal was and could look after himself when things got tough.
We signed Alfie Conn March 1977 not after Kenny Dalglish left us.