Latest News

How Steve Clarke almost joined Celtic

|
Image for How Steve Clarke almost joined Celtic

Ahead of Steve Clarke taking league leaders to Celtic Park tomorrow Davie Hay has recalled the time that he tried to make the then St Mirren defender a Celtic player.

Clarke had made over 200 appearances for St Mirren since breaking into the side as a teenager at a time when Scottish clubs were capable of competing at a reasonable level in Europe.

In the summer of 1985 West Ham had spent £350,000 to sign Frank McAvennie from St Mirren with Clarke tipped as the next big thing.

Celtic dramatically won the title in season 85/86 but were wrong footed by the big spending of Graeme Souness at the start of the following season- despite winning the title Celtic never added to their squad.

Early in 1987 reinforcements were overdue with Hay identifying Clarke as a home-made addition for his side.

In the Evening Times he recalled: “With Danny McGrain coming to the end of his career, I had identified Clarke as a potential replacement before he went to Chelsea.

That was the time when I also wanted Pat Nevin and Joe McLaughlin – with Jack McGinn telling the media that if I wanted them I’d be paying for them out of my own pocket!

In any case, I have always been a fan of Clarke and you have to applaud what he has done at Rugby Park.”

Clarke went on to spend 11 seasons as a player at Chelsea before moving into coaching working alongside Jose Mourinho, Bobby Robson, Kenny Dalglish and others.

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!