Celtic’s Brian McLaughlin robbed of stardom by thuggish tackle

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The Celtic Star

·21 Januari 2026

Celtic’s Brian McLaughlin robbed of stardom by thuggish tackle

Brian McLaughlin. What could’ve been, what should have been…

Brian McLaughlin in action for Celtic. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic have had their fair share of special talents in the 138 year history of the clubs existence. Some are deeply ingrained as legends, whilst some others didn’t make the most of that talent, or some suffered the misfortune of bad luck preventing them from writing their names into Celtic folklore.

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One such player is Brian McLaughlin, a highly regarded young player who signed on an S form back in 1968, at a time when more than a few clubs were clambering for his signature due to his natural ability and potential. However hailing from a Celtic daft family in Falkirk, Brian had only one destination in mind when Jock Stein came calling, and that of course was the green and white hoops of Celtic.

Brian made his debut at the age of 16 in a league cup tie against Clydebank, with the hoops thumping the Bankies 6-2. He quickly showed why he was held in such high regard. A tricky right sided midfielder, Brian soon forced his way into Stein’s first team thoughts over the next couple of years.

By the summer of 1973 Brian was in serious contention for a regular first team spot, which was quite a feat considering the quality competition in front of him at that period.

Brian played well in Celtic’s Drybrough cup run scoring a memorable goal against Dundee, in the semifinals, but unfortunately was on the losing side after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hibs in the final. In the next few weeks he impressed in a 2-1 Old Firm win at Ibrox, and young Brian was destined for greater heights.

Brian McLaughlin in action for Celtic. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Indeed Brian’s talent was compared to that of his teammate, the supremely talented Kenny Dalglish, which was a superb insight into his ability as a footballer.

Then on September of the same year, Brian was dealt a cruel blow when suffered a serious knee injury in a brutal challenge by Willie McVie of Clyde, although an assault was a better way to describe it, such was the damage inflicted on the youngster.

Indeed it was that bad, that Jock Stein was said to have been visibly upset when seeing the damage sustained to his young prodigy. The legendary Danny McGrain said it was the worst injury he’d ever seen on a football pitch, and to this day will never forgive McVie for his brutality.

Brian thought back to full fitness but it was evident he wasn’t the same player, and was a shadow of his former self. After some disciplinary issues, due to the player going AWOL after fleeing to visit relatives in County Donegal Brian went on loan to Finn Harps and arrived back in Glasgow determined to fight for a first team spot.

Despite his change in attitude, he couldn’t force his way into a successful Celtic side, and despite scoring in a European Cup clash against Jeunesse Esch he made just one first team appearance for the club before joining Ayr United. Brian also played for Motherwell, Hamilton, Falkirk, West Adelaide, and a further spell with Ayr United before retiring to run a pub in Donegal.

Brian was sadly found dead in Falkirk at the age of just 54 in 2009.

The man who former teammate Andy Ritchie described as “the best boy footballer I have ever seen” made just 20 appearances for Celtic scoring two goals, but it could and should have be so much more. But Brian McLaughlin at least did get to live the dream and his remains a name that Celtic supporters will remember as a supremely talent player who should have been a top Celtic star.

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