Celtic Player of the Day – Pat Crerand, definitely one that got away

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·13 de mayo de 2025

Celtic Player of the Day – Pat Crerand, definitely one that got away

Pat Crerand emerged in the late 1950s as a superb right half with marvellous passing skills, and the clear ability to “take a grip” of a game and turn it round.

His best season for Celtic was 1961/62

He steadily improved throughout the 1960/61 season, and in the 1961 Scottish Cup final replay, he did more than enough to win the game on his own, but was let down by inept finishing. His best season was 1961/62, in which he earned his first of his 16 caps for Scotland, and was looked upon as a truly great player in the 2-0 win over England at Hampden.

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Celtic Park was a frustrating place in 1962

But Celtic Park was a frustrating place in 1962 with the team badly led and repeatedly letting itself down by losing games they should have won, and Pat’s annoyance was sometimes obvious.

In the New Year Day game at Ibrox, Pat never got going, fell out publicly with management and never played again for the club that he loved. He went to Manchester United in February 1963 in a transfer that broke the hearts of the fans, but was a success for Crerand. The transfer money was never re-invested.

‘What a pity it was that Jock Stein was never given the chance to manage Celtic when Crerand was there’

He remains fond of the club he loved, but what a pity it was that Jock Stein was never given the chance to manage Celtic when Crerand was there! All Pat’s many honours were won with Manchester United, and that hurts.

David Potter

*Article from The Celtic Star archives celebrating the wonder Celtic writing of the late Celtic Historian David Potter.

Pat Crerand makes it Celtic 2 Valencia 2 on 24 October 1962. Photo The Celtic Wiki

“Big Jock used to drive down to see our games in Manchester. He would always bring down rolls, square sausage, macaroon bars, and Irn Bru for me and Denis Law. ” Paddy Crerand

Pat Crerand makes it Celtic 2 Valencia 2 on 24 October 1962. Photo The Celtic Wiki

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