George Connelly

Lore & Background

Connelly was a technically accomplished footballer who could play in midfield or defence. He signed for Celtic from Tulliallan Juniors in March 1966. He was part of the Quality Street Gang, which included Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay, Lou Macari, Danny McGrain and Jimmy Quinn. He broke into the first team in 1968.

He is remembered for two goals: in the 1969 Scottish Cup final against Rangers, he dispossessed John Greig, rounded the goalkeeper, and scored to make it 3–0; in the 1970 European Cup tie against Leeds United, he scored in the first minute of the first leg at Elland Road. Celtic won that match 1–0 and 2–1 in the return leg to progress to their second European Cup final, which they lost 2–1 to Feyenoord. Connelly made 254 first team appearances, scored 13 goals, and won two Scotland caps in 1974.

He played for Falkirk for three months in 1976, then reverted to Junior status with Sauchie, working as a taxi driver. He returned to Celtic Park in 2006 to do the half-time draw during the AC Milan fixture in the UEFA Champions League second round. In 2007, Celtic's Lost Legend was published, co-written by Connelly and Bryan Cooney; it was re-published in 2019.

Reader's Guide

Connelly was considered by many to have the potential to be a world class player. He was earmarked as the natural successor to Billy McNeill at the heart of the Celtic defence and most likely as captain. However, a series of personal problems led to him periodically disappearing from Celtic Park. After the fifth such walk-out in 1975 he didn't return. In a recent interview he stated that his poor salary at Celtic was the main reason for his eventual departure. In a recent book he also pointed at how unhappy he was with his marriage at the time as another factor. Tommy Docherty approached him to sign for Manchester United, but he rejected the move as football just was not in his head at the time. When David Hay left Celtic in 1974, Connelly did not feel as comfortable at the club.