Patsy Gallacher scored Celtic’s best ever goal, 100 years ago today

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The Celtic Star

·11 de abril de 2025

Patsy Gallacher scored Celtic’s best ever goal, 100 years ago today

100 years ago today, the most spectacular goal in Celtic’s history was scored. The Bhoys won the 1925 Scottish Cup thanks to the somersault efforts of a truly celebrated player. That goalscorer had a life that can be summed in one word: REMARKABLE.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend. Image by Celtic Curio

This is the story of Celtic’s Mighty Atom, Patsy Gallacher…

Like Celtic, Patsy Gallacher was a mixture of Irish and Scottish. He was born in 1891, in Ramelton in County Donegal. Gallacher’s family faced extreme poverty; in fact, he was born in the Poor House. This led the Gallachers to move to Scotland when Patsy was still a child, and they settled in Clydebank.

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The spelling of his surname name has often caused confusion, based on whether it should be spelled with a C or G. Traditionally, G is common in Ireland, whereas C was prevalent in Scottish names. When Gallacher’s family came to Scotland, it was wrongly spelled with a C, and this was the version that stuck.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photo The Celtic Wiki

Like so many people in Scotland, Patsy Gallacher was a huge football fan. In fact, showing a real sense of leadership, he once organised a school team to enter a football tournament. When his side won, the organisers wouldn’t give him the trophy as there was not an adult with them!

In 1911, he became a Celtic player

As he grew older, Patsy played for various sides at juvenile and then Junior levels. The most important of these was Clydebank Juniors as it was here that Patsy was scouted by bigger teams. He received different offers but in 1911, he became a Celtic player.

To say the least, Gallacher did not have the look of a footballer. In an era where the game was much rougher and more physical than now, many of the country’s best players tended to be strong and well-built. Patsy, on the other hand, was under 5 foot 7 inches, and very slight.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

“You can’t put that boy on the park, boss. If you do it will be manslaughter!”

This led to a famous quote about him. After signing for the club, Willie Maley planned to play him in a game versus St Mirren. He introduced Patsy to his teammates and Jimmy Quinn exclaimed that: “You can’t put that boy on the park, boss. If you do it will be manslaughter!”

But despite these warnings, Patsy did indeed play, and he soon won over his teammates with his shows of brilliance on the park, and a physical strength that belied his small stature. By his second game, he was already on the scoresheet, doing so at Hampden as Celtic beat Queen’s Park.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

Patsy was a crucial part of the side that won the 1912 Scottish Cup

Patsy Gallacher became a mainstay of the Celtic team, and soon helped them to success. His first trophy in the Hoops came in his first season; he was a crucial part of the side that won the 1912 Scottish Cup, scoring one of Celtic’s goals as they beat Clyde 2-0.

During World War One, like footballers from various clubs, Patsy did not go to war because he worked in a shipyard, which was a reserved occupation. He had trained in this job before becoming a full-time Celtic player. On one occasion during the conflict, he was fined for being late for work, and further punished by being banned from playing for Celtic for eight matches.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

Patsy was clearly a bit of a character

Patsy was clearly a bit of a character, and there are numerous stories testifying to this from his time at Celtic Park. One legendary tale describes the Celts going to Dunbar for a training camp. The players were told they could not leave the hotel to get a drink, so Patsy borrowed some female clothes and sneaked out whilst dressed as a woman!

In fact, this is not the only funny Patsy story connected to clothing. Another relates to the time that he turned out for Rangers. In 1922, Newcastle United played a benefit game for Rangers captain Andrew Cunningham, with whom Patsy was friends. Gallacher turned out for the Ibrox side, and pulled on the Light Blue jersey. He even scored for the home team. However, he later lifted his blue shirt to reveal a Celtic top underneath!

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

Patsy enjoyed substantial success at Celtic Park

Patsy Gallacher enjoyed substantial success at Celtic Park. In his 15-year Celtic career, he won the League on six occasions and the Scottish Cup four times. He was also part of winning sides for the Glasgow Cup on four occasions and the Charity Cup eleven times.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

The ‘Patsy Gallacher Final’

Of all these trophies, none was more famous than the 1925 Scottish Cup Final. In fact, so notable was his influence, some people often refer to this match as being the ‘Patsy Gallacher Final’.

The Bhoys had reached the final thanks to a crushing 5-0 victory over Rangers in the semi. Celtic were in confident mood, but they faced a Dundee side with equal hopes. On 11 April 1925, 75,000 crammed into Hampden to watch what would be a memorable game, and an iconic goal.

Dundee took the lead, which they continued to hold at the interval. In the second period, Celtic pushed for an equaliser. Gallacher went on a mazy run and looked like he had just fallen short, but at the last minute, he controlled the ball between his feet and somersaulted into the net. It was a spectacular goal, and inspired the Celts to claim a late victory, thanks to Jimmy McGrory.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

Patsy’s contribution to Celtic cannot be emphasised enough

Patsy’s contribution to Celtic cannot be emphasised enough. He was a darling of the Celtic support, famed for attacking skills and dribbling, which helped attract large crowds to Celtic Park. And his goalscoring was very impressive; his 195 goals make him Celtic’s sixth all-time top scorer.

It was not simply Celtic that had a chance to recognise Patsy’s ability; he had a variety of international experiences too, and under more than one national banner.

Patsy Gallacher with his sons, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

As a Donegal-born man, he naturally wanted to play for Ireland

As a Donegal-born man, he naturally wanted to play for Ireland. These appearances exemplified the political divides of his homeland. Not only did run out for Ireland, but on one occasion he also represented an Irish Free State team.

In addition, Patsy had Scottish experience too. He was part of a Scottish League Select, and featured in a Scottish FA team that toured Canada in 1927. And in fact, during World War One, he was selected to play for Scotland in an unofficial fixture against England.

Patsy wanted to be a one-club player, but unfortunately for him, Celtic had other ideas

Patsy wanted to be a one-club player, but unfortunately for him, Celtic had other ideas. Later in his career, he suffered from various knee injuries and turned out only once in the 1925-26 season. As such, in 1926, Celtic announced that he had retired.

However, this was news to Patsy, who claimed he had done so such thing. There were rumours that he was the best paid player at the club and Celtic wanted rid of him. Whatever the reality, Patsy was not finished and he made the move to Falkirk, where he played for six more years.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

The 7000 fans who attended saw an amazing 17 goals

His actual retirement came in 1932, and a benefit match was held which reunited him with Celtic. A joint Falkirk and Celtic team played a Scottish League XI at Celtic Park, to celebrate the phenomenal football career of Patsy Gallacher. In a fitting tribute to Patsy’s goalscoring prowess, the 7000 fans who attended saw an amazing 17 goals, as it finished 10-7 to the Celtic/Falkirk team!

After retiring, Patsy’s attentions were turned away from football. He had to be a lone parent to his six children after his wife died during childbirth. Like so many footballers over the years, he worked in the pub trade, including owning the International Bar in Clydebank.

Patsy Gallacher, Celtic legend, photos The Celtic Wiki

On 17 June 1953, Patsy succumbed to illness, and died aged 62

By early-1953, Patsy was not in good health. On 17 June 1953, Patsy succumbed to illness, and died aged 62. Newspapers carried numerous tributes to him especially describing him as “Peerless Patsy.” His funeral took place in St Paul’s Church in Whiteinch, near his Scotstoun home, and he is buried in Paisley.

Although Patsy stopped playing in 1932 and died in 1953, the name Gallacher has continued to be a prominent one in Scottish football. Two of his sons – Tommy and Willie – were both professionals. Willie played for Celtic and Tommy was at Dundee. In fact, at the time of Patsy’s death, Tommy was with his team on a tour of South Africa and had to return home early.

In addition, Patsy’s grandson, Kevin Gallacher, was a prominent player in the 1980s and 1990s, starring for Dundee United, Blackburn Rovers and Scotland. He even scored the first goal in the 1988 Scottish Cup Final, although fortunately it was still that Bhoys that celebrated a centenary double.

Amy Gallacher with the trophy. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Patsy’s great-granddaughter Amy has her own place in Celtic’s history

And from a Celtic perspective, Patsy’s great-granddaughter Amy Gallacher has a huge place in the history of Celtic Women’s team. In 2024, her last gasp goal versus Hibs on the final day of the season gave Celtic’s Ghirls their first ever league title.

One test of fame is whether people are recognised by a single name. In football’s history, the names Pele, Messi, Ronaldhino and others evoke smiles of recognition. In Celtic’s story, the same is true for Patsy. Mention of this single name can only refer to one figure, someone who was a hugely entertaining and skilful player.

Patsy Gallacher was Celtic’s Mighty Atom, and a genuine club legend.

Matthew Marr

If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.