Centre back Roddie MacDonald signed for Celtic as a raw 18 year old in 1972 after impressing with Rangers (Brora that is!!) and certainly made a name for himself in his time at the club…
The Alness born player started his career as a centre forward, before being converted into a commanding Centre back by ex Celt Sammy Wilson who was manager of the Highland league side, and his form caught the eye of Jock Stein who swooped to sign the youngster.
He would make his first team debut in a 3-1 league cup win at Arbroath in 1973, but had to wait a couple of years to be given a shot at earning a regular first team slot, with Billy McNeill’s retirement handing him that chance.
Filling the boots of the legendary Billy McNeill a difficult task
Roddie was soon given a run in team, but despite some committed performances, his rawness was quite evident, and he found filling the boots of the legendary Billy McNeill quite a difficult task, but then again who wouldn’t?
Things looked bleak for the Highlander when the much younger Roy Aitken was deemed as the better option at the back, with the highly regarded youngster being handed a chance at Roddie’s expense.
Things took a turn for the better for Roddie in 1976 with the signing of the ultra experienced Pat Stanton, who was paired with Roddie in the centre of the defence, allowing Roy Aitken to adopt a more deep lying midfield role.
Pat Stanton’s arrival allowed Roddie to flourish
Stanton’s arrival allowed Roddie to flourish in the centre of defence, and he put in some superb displays which helped the club win the domestic double that year, with Roddie having an outstanding game in the 1-0 Scottish cup final win over Rangers at Hampden.
The following season was an abysmal campaign for the club, but Roddie was one of the few successes, playing in each and every game, and was one of just a few players who could hold their heads high.
Roddie was just as competent in front of goal, scoring several vital goals, with his old experience as a centre forward coming in handy.
Indeed he impressed that much that he was named in Ally McLeod’s 40 man provisional squad for the 1978 World Cup finals, although he failed to make the final 22 man cut, but still to even be considered was a terrific accolade for the big Highlander.
Injury meant that Roddie missed the legendary 4-2 game
Roddie yet again played a vital role in our memorable title win in 1979, although injury cost him the chance to appear the run in, including the iconic 4-2 win over Rangers, the game now famously remembered as the night when ‘ten men won the league’
Roddie’s injury problems continued into the following campaign, unfortunately ruling him out of the 1980 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers.
This led to him a eventually losing his place in the side as Billy McNeill preferred the central defensive pairing of Tom McAdam, and Roy Aitken, but made a few fleeting appearances, most notably starring in a vital 1-0 win at Ibrox that all but clinched the title for the hoops.
A £50k move to Hearts
That summer, to everyone’s surprise, Billy McNeill allowed Roddie to leave the club as he joined Hearts in a £50,000 deal.
Roddie enjoyed a six year stay in Gorgie, and then had spells with Morton, Partick Thistle, and Queen of the South before retiring from the game in 1994.
252 appearances, 34 goals and nine major honours in the hoops means that Big Roddie MacDonald has fully earned his place in Celtic folklore.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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