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Personal

Fullname: James Casey
aka: Jim Casey, "Ben"
Born: 2 Aug 1957
Birthplace: Glasgow

Biog

Originally a schoolboy signing Jim Casey signed full time professional terms with the Bhoys in May 1974.

The Ruchazie born player made his Celtic first team debut in the 1-0 League Cup win at home to Stenhousemuir on September 24th 1975.

In 1977/78 Jim (who was nicknamed Ben after the character Doctor Ben Casey in the popular tv series Emergency Ward 10) was given his big break at sweeper after an injury to the experienced Pat Stanton. He was impressive against Motherwell at Fir Park in an exciting 4-2 win in the League Cup on September 3rd but seven days later Celtic blew a two goal half time lead in the league at Ibrox to lose 3-2 and Jim found himself out of favour, although he was recalled again at sweeper for both legs of the 1977 European Cup games against SSW Innsbruck. Celtic won 2-1 at Parkhead in the first leg but crashed 3-0 in the return after conceding three early goals.

After Billy McNeill's arrival in 1978 Jim was again in the first team squad however disaster struck on December 13th 1978 against Rangers in the League Cup semi final. With the game delicately poised at 2-2 Jim came on for the injured Mike Conroy. In 113 minutes Roy Baines saved a Derek Johnstone shot and the ball rebounded, struck the unfortunate Jim and rolled into the net. It was Celtic's first League Cup defeat since outwith the final since 1964.

In 1979/80 Jim captained a successful Celtic reserve team and scored against Morton on March 8th in the Scottish Cup in a 2-0 win. In May 1980 Jim was earmarked for a place in the Scottish Cup final to replace the suspended Tom McAdam but an injury in training stopped any hopes he had which was a severe blow to the Bhoy.

Capable of playing both as a sweeper or as a holding midfielder the former Scotland schoolboy international was never able to hold down a regular first team starting spot and he eventually left Celtic for US side Phoenix Inferno in November 1980.