B | Player Pics | A-Z of Players

Personal

Fullname: James Bone
aka: Jimmy Bone
Born: September 22nd 1949
Birthplace: Bridge of Allan
Signed: February 18th 1974
Position: Centre-Forward
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A

Biog

Jimmy Bone was a surprise signing for Celtic from Sheffield United on February 18th 1974 for a fee of £25,000.

Jimmy had sprang to fame in 1971 when he scored for Partick Thistle in their legendary 4-1 shock win over Celtic in the League Cup final. This earned him a move to England and he had a successful spell at Norwich which led to a move to Bramall Lane in 1973.

He made his debut as a sub for Dixie Deans in the 1-0 win over Hearts on March 2nd. Bone was of a similar build to Deans, stocky and good in the air, and it was expected that he would give Dixie competition for the number 9 shirt at Parkhead. He made his full debut at outside right on March 13th in a Scottish Cup replay at a packed Fir Park in front of 25,000 fans and helped Celtic to a vital, if tight, 1-0 win. He was at inside right for Celtic's trip to Firhill to face his old team mates on March 23rd which Celtic surprisingly lost 2-0, both goals being scored by Thistle captain and future Celt Ronnie Glavin. However with Lennox and Wilson returning from injury Jimmy dropped into the reserves after the 2-0 win at Tannadice on April 13th.

The 1974/75 season was the one in which Bone was expected to make his mark and he played in a few early games in the League Cup but could not hold down a place. He was reinstated to the team at Tannadice on November 9th coming on for Vic Davidson in in a 0-0 draw. Ironically Jimmy scored his only goal in the hoops in his last appearance, a 2-1 win over Dunfermline at Parkhead in which he had opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

A few weeks later it was a surprise when Jock Stein allowed him to move to Arbroath for a fee of £10,000, quite a fee for the Gayfield men in early 1975. He gained a modicum of revenge on Celtic by scoring in the 2-2 draw at Gayfield against Celtic on February 8th, one of a number of poor results in that period that cost Celtic their 10 in a row chance.

Jimmy Bone moved to Alex Ferguson's young St. Mirren team in 1977 and was a great servant to the Love Street club. He was a great competitor and a thorn in Celtic's side in many occasions and moved to Hearts in 1983 where he had an Indian summer and yet again found the net against Celtic on a couple of occasions.

Celtic fans never saw the best of Jimmy Bone and had circumstances been different he could have been a fine Celtic player.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics