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Name: Thomas Callaghan
Aka : Tommy/Tid/T.C., Tommy Callaghan
Born: 6 Dec 1945
Birthplace: Cowdenbeath, Fife
Signed: 22 Nov 1968
Position: Midfielder
Left: 6 Nov 1976
Games: 284 games, 33 goals

Biog

A True Celtic Man from birth Cowdenbeath-born Tommy Callaghan signed for Jock Stein’s Celtic in November 1968 from Dunfermline for an estimated £35,000, a notable fee at that time.

An elegant yet hard-working midfielder, TC had in fact been signed by Jock for Dunfermline and it showed he was Stein's type of player when he again signed him for Celtic.

Tommy had impressed under Stein at East End Park but the Fifer took time to settle in at the Parkhead home of his beloved Celtic. He made a scoring debut in a 4-0 league victory at Partick Thistle on November 23rd but it was to be a while yet before he was to show his true qualities and class.

Callaghan’s initial difficulties came from a self-doubt that he was not worthy of taking the field alongside living legends who had so recently been kings of European football. Being in the presence of men like Bertie Auld and Bobby Murdoch seemed to over-awe the recent arrival. He also found it difficult to win over the increasingly hard to please Celtic support who were now getting used to life at European football's top table. For them, when things went wrong, it was naturally easier to blame the ex-Par for any slip ups rather than the men who had brought the European Cup to Glasgow.

That was harsh on Tommy but thankfully his fortunes and the atitudes of others were soon to change. His first big break came when he was fielded at outside left in the 1969 League Cup final against St. Johnstone. He put on a fine show on the day Bertie Auld scored the winning goal.

By the start of the new decade Callaghan had started to feel more at home among his illustrious peers and consequently had begun to establish himself as a key component in a wonderful Celtic side. With the ability to play either in midfield or defence, Callaghan allied good control and vision with an awesome engine which at times saw him over-run the very best teams in Europe.

He was always a player for the big occasion and in the 1971 Scottish Cup replay victory against Rangers he had a magnificent game and a year on he created three of Celtic's six goals in the 6-1 annihilation of Eddie Turnbull's excellent Hibernian side in the 1972 final.

His best football was between 1971 and 1974 when he was instrumental in bringing 4 league titles to Parkhead. At the start of the 1971/72 season he was in top form and played a major part in Celtic's three wins at Ibrox in the space of four weeks, scoring a spectacular effort in the 3-0 win on August 28th.

Tommy was not noted for his goalscoring exploits but scored important goals, against Aberdeen in the 1972 League Cup semi final, and a great volley against Basle in the 1974 European Cup quarter final which took the tie to extra time, where Celtic eventually won 4-2.

Callaghan's long running stride was put to good use by Jock Stein and he was able to carry the ball from deep and start attacks in this way. He was not a noted tackler and an element of the Celtic support gave him a hard time on occasions in view of this.

In the summer of 1976 he was no longer a first team regular after the arrival of Glavin and the emergence of the young Tommy Burns. He scored his last goal. a winner, in the 1-0 victory over Albion Rovers in the league cup on October 6th 1976 and moved on to the ambitious Clydebank club a few weeks later for £10,000.

A model professional Callaghan never let anyone down during his eight years as Celtic player and while players of greater skill may take more plaudits the modest midfielder was vastly underrated by some and deserves to be remembered as a truly great Celt. His medal collection is certainly an impressive one and in 284 appearance (33 goals) he bagged six league winners medals, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

Tommy had also won a Scottish Cup Winners medal whilst playing alongside his brother Willie for Dunfermline beating Hearts in the 1968 Final.

A much loved Celt who is still regularly seen at Celtic Park supporting the Hoops.

Playing Career

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