They played for Celtic – George Connelly

George Connelly was a highly regarded Celtic youth prospect in the mid 1960s, and he was allowed to showcase those talents at the age of 16 when he treated the supporters to a marvellous show of keepie-uppy before a European Cup winners cup clash with Dynamo Kiev in 1965…

Young George Connelly completed up to 2,000 keepie uppies

Young George was sent out by Jock Stein to entertain the massive crowd, and he didn’t disappoint them as they marvelled at the youngsters natural ability, as he completed up to 2,000 keepie uppies.

Two years later at the age of 18 he would make his Celtic debut in a 2-1 defeat by Dunfermline at East End Park, and from then on in he became a regular part of Jock Stein’s first team plans.

Part of the iconic ‘Quality Street Gang’ that included Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay, Lou Macari and Danny McGrain, George was seen as the most talented individual, and in that company it speaks volumes for his ability and potential as a top level footballer.

He was clearly a supremely talented player likened to Franz Beckenbauer

George Connelly was clearly a supremely talented player with great natural ability on the ball, and great intelligence off it, and Jock Stein and his coaching staff were determined to carefully nurture that undoubted natural talent.

With the ability to play anywhere in defence or midfield, young George was so highly regarded that he was earmarked by many as a future Celtic captain when the time came when legendary skipper Billy McNeill decided to hang up his boots.

Some had even regarded him to blossom into a world class talent in the mould of the legendary German Franz Beckenbauer.

George Connelly embarrassed John Greig in 1969 Scottish Cup Final

The talented youngster would go on to play a starring role in the 4-0 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers which clinched a domestic treble, with young George scoring the third goal in the thumping win over the original Ibrox club at Hampden Park.

A year later and with more experience under his belt, George played a starring role in the ‘Battle of Britain’ win over Leeds United in the European Cup semi final.

Connelly scored the goal as Celtic defeated Leeds United at Elland Road in 1970

George scored a very early opener which proved to the winner in the first leg at Elland Road, and played his part in the 2-1 win at Hampden as the Hoops clinched a place in their second European cup final.

The youngster from Valleyfield in Fife was now a fully established first team regular, and become one if not the most influential player in Jock Stein’s side which was already brimming with quality.

George had it all at his feet, but his career would take an unfortunate nosedive, but not due to his on-field performances which were still pretty flawless, but more due to his off field demons. George Connelly was literally a totally different character on and off the pitch.

Davie Hay once said of his teammate and close friend: “George is basically a very shy person who conquered it every time to go out on the pitch.”

It didn’t help matters for George when Hay left the club for Chelsea in 1974, rendering him all that more lonelier.

George was clearly an introvert

The introverted George Connelly certainly wasn’t the most sociable of people, and his shyness and his fondness for a drink started to affect his career as he often walked out on the club due to the the pressures he faced only to be persuaded back by Jock Stein.

In 1975 it all came to a head as George’s Celtic career was all but over after Sean Fallon who was placed in temporary charge of the club following Jock Stein’s car accident, ran out of patience with George and couldn’t be bothered to talk him round anymore.

George left Celtic in October 1976

George left the club in October 1976 having made 254 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals as well as winning 15 major honours.

Celtic’s ‘enigma’

He’s often described as something of an ‘enigma’ due to his career not panning out as expected, but George Connelly is still highly regarded by the Celtic supporters as was proven when he received a rousing reception from sixty thousand Celtic supporters back in 2007 during the half time interval of a Champions League clash with AC Milan.

I think we can all agree that George Connelly very much deserves his place in Celtic folklore.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy