They played for Celtic – Brian McLaughlin
Brian McLaughlin was a highly regarded youngster who rose through the Celtic youth ranks, and would go on to make his first team debut at the age of 19 in a decent 3-0 home league victory over Partick Thistle at Celtic Park on 6th November 1993…
If you were at Celtic Park that day, you’d be forgiven if you thought Brian was actually the mascot such was his height and youthful looks.
McLaughlin always wanted to entertain
It soon became evident that the pint-sized winger was a throwback to the wide man of yesteryear, in that he loved to use his ability to take on his opponent, a proper old fashioned winger who always looked to entertain.
Although unfortunately for Brian, for all the ability he possessed he often failed to produce an end product, ie his crossing, and decision making wasn’t always the best, but it was hoped that he would flourish given time.
The original Sack the Board era
It also didn’t help Brian that he was trying to make his name in an era when the club was in turmoil both on and off the pitch. It was of course the original Sack the Board era, and the club were teetering on the brink of disaster.
Brian’s greatest moment in a Celtic shirt was undoubtedly the 1995 Scottish Cup final win over Airdrie, the club’s first major honour in six long years.
Brian was named in the starting line up, and helped Tommy Burns side lift the trophy to end six years of hurt , frustration and anguish.
Game time was hard to get in the ‘Three Amigos’ era
After that he was sparingly used in the all star Tommy Burns side which contained the likes of Andreas Thom, Pierre Van Hoojidonk, Jorge Cadete, and Paolo Di Canio, so understandably it was difficult for the Bellshill born youngster to get regular game time.
Even when Tommy left his role as manager, and the likes of Cadete, Van Hoojidonk, and Di Canio were also gone, the former Scotland under 21 still found himself surplus to first team plans.
Wim Jansen froze McLaughlin out
Brian found himself frozen out under Wim Jansen in the iconic 1997/98 league winning campaign (the year we stopped the dread ten) not even mustering a first team appearance, so he missed out on a championship medal.
Now 24 years of age, Brian was sent out to Airdrie on loan for some regular game time the following season under new manager Jozef Venglos, the veteran Slovakian happened to be fourth manager Brian had played under in his short time as a first team player, such instability that wouldn’t have helped his cause.
It came as was no surprise when Brian left Celtic in April 1999, a month shy of his 25th birthday to join Dundee United on a free transfer.
Brian McLaughlin made 86 appearances for Celtic, scoring five goals
In total, Brian McLaughlin made 86 appearances for Celtic, scoring five goals, and won one solitary honour, which was of course the 1995 Scottish Cup.
After Dundee United, Brian would go on to have stints at Wigan Athletic, Ayr United, Queen of the South, St. Johnstone, and, finally Stenhousemuir where he finished his playing career.
