A generation ago Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly were the fresh faced duo helping Tommy Burns exciting team bring back the crowds and passion to the new look Celtic Park.
Under Wim Jansen they struck gold stopping ten-in-a-row before going their separate ways.
Donnelly’s career never again hit the heights but McNamara went on to survive John Barnes and ended his Celtic career as an unlikely left-back and captain.
The youthful looks are largely unaltered with strains of management not showing on the former Celtic pair as they attempt to drive Partick Thistle into the top ten.
McNamara, much like his dad, has always been his own man, and is making more than a decent fight of it in his second season in charge of Thistle.
Rather than call in some favours from former team-mates like Neil Lennon, Alan Stubbs and Malky Mackay the Thistle boss would rather work on his own players to ensure that the benefits remain in-house.
McNamara freely admits that management was an unlikely career path a decade ago but as his playing days neared an end the lure of the dug-out became harder to resist.
“I used to tell my dad I wouldn’t go into coaching,” the Thistle boss admitted. “I used to see the stick or talking behind the coach’s back from people I respected in the game and think I wouldn’t let them speak about me like that.
“But as you get older you start to see things differently. I’m not bothered if folk talk behind my back now. You just have to believe in what you are doing.
“Along with Simon and the rest of the people at Firhill we believe we are trying to do the right things with the players and we try to be honest with them.
“Hopefully they come to Thistle and enjoy playing football and playing it in the right way.
“I’ve developed a thicker skin over the years, but that’s come from growing up and playing in front of 60,000 people at Celtic and having to deal with that.
“You know as a manager the buck stops with you so I’ll do the best I can and hope that it’s good enough the same as when I was a player.”
McNamara’s unconventional streak extended to appointing Donnelly as his assistant- throwing away one of the first rules of management.
“You go on courses and they tell you not to pick your best pal as your No 2,” McNamara added. “But I don’t see it that way at all.
“As long as I know Simon can do the job he’s got my backing and vice versa. Sometimes you see managers going in and when they lose their job their No 2 takes over, but we came together and I think we’ll stay together.
“We are best friends and we work well together along with a great staff at Thistle. We all get on really well and that reflects on the players.
“Simon is a very good coach. He knows the game well and has the same kind of thoughts as I do. He’s also someone I trust, better than anybody. If we are doing something and we win, we win together and if we fail we fail together.”
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Jackie mc legend FACT
Best of luck to them both.
Definitely flying at the moment, must be clear favs but the acid test will be when they hit a sticky patch as they surely will. Best of luck to them though, I’d be delighted to see them succeed.
Jackie was a big favourite of mine in the hoops and i wish him every success. If he’s half as good as a manager they’ll be in the spl in no time!
IMO one of the most under-rated celts.
Aww bless. I love that the two of them are working so closely. I’ve always loved their partnership together so it’s fantastic to see them together again. Jackie was always one if my favourite players and I hated how he was shoved out of Celtic Park. A true Celt and a really funny guy.
Wish them both the very best.unless of course their up against the hoops. gave there all as players and they’ll do the same as coaches. HH.
Hevghirl, neither player was shoved out of Parkhead. Both were offered contracts but they left for down south, Jackie Mac the day after we gave him a testimonial.
They were good players for us, though, and they seem like nice guys, so best of luck to them at the Jags.
jackie was treated shabbily by the club, he was a great servant. I wish him all the best in his management career.
All the best Bhoys!!!
He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere, he’s the Celtic Bhoys Right Back.
His forte is in turning….. Defence into Attack.
He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere, the best you’ve ever seen.
Young Jackie Mc Namara in the Hoops of white and Green!