Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, enjoyed a fruitful spell at Celtic Park, winning many accolades for his displays as full-back throughout the most successful period Glasgow Celtic F.C. has enjoyed in it’s illustrious history. His debut came against St. Johnstone on 13^th November 1965, and an incredible 14 domestic honours came his way in a seven-year stint at Parkhead, which ended after the 6-1 Scottish Cup Final thrashing of Hibs in 1972.

The pinnacle of his time at Celtic was the 2-1 European Cup win over Inter Milan in 1967 (incidentally it was Craig who gave away the penalty for Inter’s only goal). Never a goalscorer, he only managed one league goal in his time with Celtic (v St. Mirren in a 3-0 win 29^th March 1968), but will surely point to the goals he scored in Cup competitions to argue otherwise. These included strikes against Aberdeen in the League Cup (2^nd Sept. 1967, 5-1), a rare double against Morton in the League Cup semi-final that same year (11^th Oct. 1967, 7-1), against Hibs in the League Cup Final (5^th April 1969, 6-2), and against St. Etienne in the European Cup (18^th Sept. 1968, 4-0).

Craig relished the big stage, and once admitted that he needed pressure to make him play better. He was also a hard tackler who could use the ball well, but surprisingly he only achieved one international cap for Scotland, against Wales on 22^nd November 1967. After his spell at Celtic he moved south of the border to Sheffield Wednesday, but played only two part-seasons at Hillsborough before retiring as a player. Management followed with Waterford, before he returned to his other career – that of dentistry.

Craig relished the big stage, and once admitted that he needed pressure to make him play better. He was also a hard tackler who could use the ball well, but surprisingly he only achieved one international cap for Scotland, against Wales on 22^nd November 1967. After his spell at Celtic he moved south of the border to Sheffield Wednesday, but played only two part-seasons at Hillsborough before retiring as a player. Management followed with Waterford, before he returned to his other career – that of dentistry.

His sons currently play top-class rugby in Scotland, whilst he himself still remains involved at Celtic Park, writing regular columns in the Celtic View publication and also heavily involved with the club web broadcasts.

Jim Craig agreed to become Belfast Shamrock CSC Honorary President in 2001, a great honour for all associated with the club, and indeed members have been lucky enough to have met up with Jim, firstly at Celtic Park the day after the Aberdeen game in April ’02, and again at the AICSC Annual Charity Dinner, Dublin in July ’02. We hope that this great association continues.

His sons currently play top-class rugby in Scotland, whilst he himself still remains involved at Celtic Park, writing regular columns in the Celtic View publication and also heavily involved with the club web broadcasts.

Jim Craig agreed to become Belfast Shamrock CSC Honorary President in 2001, a great honour for all associated with the club, and indeed members have been lucky enough to have met up with Jim, firstly at Celtic Park the day after the Aberdeen game in April ’02, and again at the AICSC Annual Charity Dinner, Dublin in July ’02. We hope that this great association continues.