John Gorman from Celtic’s famous Quality Street Gang

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The Celtic Star

·6 February 2026

John Gorman from Celtic’s famous Quality Street Gang

John Gorman. Well known in football circles, but perhaps a forgotten name from Celtic’s famous Quality Street Gang…

During the late 1960s and early 70s, a talented band of youth players rose from the ranks within Celtic Football Club, and due to their undoubtedly ability they were famously dubbed as the ‘Quality Street Gang’.

And with good reason as this band of players happened to include two of Scottish football’s greatest ever talents in Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain, and alongside them were names such as Lou Macari, Davie Hay, Paul Wilson and George Connelly.

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John Gorman, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

While they weren’t in the same bracket as King Kenny and Daniel Fergus, they were supremely talented players who would make the grade at first team level not just at Celtic but at the very top level in England, and internationally in the dark blue of Scotland.

Kenny of course would go on to become Scotland’s most capped player and joint top goalscorer, as well as enjoying great domestic and European success with Liverpool where he is highly recognised as Liverpool’s greatest ever player, and indeed one of the best ever in European football.

Celtic’s Quality Street Gang. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny dedicated his career to Celtic and made a grand total of 681 appearances winning 16 major honours, whilst representing Scotland on 62 occasions, and is seen as not just the best right back in Scottish football history, but one of the best in World football.

The likes of Lou Macari and Davie Hay would also make their mark at the club before moving down south, and making the grade with Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.

Celtic’s Quality Street Gang. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Paul Wilson would become a favourite of the supporters and contributed greatly to the first team, although sadly George Connolly who was tipped for great things ultimate didn’t make the most of his talent due to off the field matters.

One other name who made up that band of talented players was John Gorman, who is a well known name in football circles, more so down south but not so much in regard to his Celtic connection.

Winchburgh born John who operated as a left back signed professionally for the club at the tail end of 1967, but made just one senior appearance for the club in a league cup victory at Hamilton in 1968, the very same game that Kenny Dalglish made his debut for the club.

John Gorman, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

John decided to move on to further his career and joined Carlisle United in September 1970 where he spent six years making over 200 appearances before joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Sadly Johns career at White Hart Lane was disrupted by injury and he made just 30 appearances in three years before heading across the Atlantic to try his luck in the US with Tampa Bay Rowdies, before ending his time in the states in indoor competition with both Phoenix inferno and Phoenix Pride.

Swindon Town manager John Gorman instructs his players during a match against Manchester United, 19th March 1994. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

John returned to the UK and joined lifelong friend Glenn Hoddle at Swindon Town, becoming his close pal’s trusted number two, something that would prove to be the start of a budding coaching partnership.

With the former England player in charge, the Robins fortunes changed dramatically as they rose to the top flight, with John playing his part in their success. Indeed he was that highly regarded that he was offered the main job when Hoddle joined Chelsea, rejecting his pal’s advances to take him to the more glamorous surroundings of south West London, as he opted to take control of the manager’s office at the County ground.

Unfortunately for John it didn’t work out and his tenure lasted a year and a relegation from the English Premiership, before he was relieved of his duties at Swindon Town.

14 October 1998: England coach Glenn Hoddle and assistant John Gorman walk off after the European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg. England won 3-0: Photo Stu Forster /Allsport

A couple of year later John was back in the coaching game, again with close pal Glenn Hoddle, this time as assistant manager of the Auld enemy!! Yes Scotsman John donned the three lions for three years, which included a stint at the World Cup finals in 1998.

John would follow his close pal into management once more with old club Spurs, lasting two years before having a spell as a coach with several clubs including Southampton and Ipswich Town before retiring from the game in 2012.

John Gorman is announced as the new manager of Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium on June 9, 2006. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Amid tough competition for places John never made the grade at Celtic, but he certainly had a colourful career in the game.

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28 January 2000: Glenn Hoddle at The Dell in Southampton with his No2: John Gorman where it was announced that he was taking over as manager of the club: Photo Julian Herbert/ALLSPORT

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