Bernie Slaven has revealed the incredible extent that his dad went to ensure that his son was a Celtic fan- and opened up on his disappointment at never playing in the hoops.
The bhoy from Rutherglen is a hero on Middlesbrough after starring in Bruce Rioch’s side that breathed fresh life into the club alongside Tony Mowbray in the eighties.
Slaven was Scotland’s top scorer in season 1984/85 with 31 goals despite Albion Rovers struggling at the bottom of the Second Division.
Slaven had reached Cliftonhill via Morton, Airdrie and Queen of the South before dropping into the juniors with Pollok.
During the 83/84 season he played against Celtic for Airdrie in the League Cup but quickly put on a green and white scarf to cheer on Davie Hay’s side at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest.
That was a relatively straightforward trip compared to the journey in 1970 that made him a Celt for life.
“In hindsight, when I look back on my career, it would have been great to play for Celtic even just for one season and have a go at an Old Firm game,” he told The Sun.
“My late father would have been so proud to see me out there playing for the club and he did mention that a few times.
“He introduced me to Celtic and even took me all the way to Milan in 1970 for the European Cup final.
“My dad had promised me he would do that if we beat Leeds in the semi-final — and kept his word.
“I was only ten and that was an unbelievable experience that will always live with me.
“In the late 1980s and early 1990s when Billy McNeill and Liam Brady were the managers, there was always a lot of speculation about Celtic being interested in me.
“I heard talk of a £750k bid but there was nothing concrete. I also got the feeling that some people were putting the knife in, saying I was too opinionated.
“I did have an opinion but I know I’d have scored goals for Celtic.”
As well as being a hero at Middlesbrough, where he works on matchdays, the Paisley born Celt was a member of Jack Charlton’s Ireland squad at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
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