Murdo MacLeod

Scottish midfielder who won league titles in Scotland and Germany, and played for Celtic, Borussia Dortmund, and Hibernian.

Murdo Davidson MacLeod (born 24 September 1958 in Milngavie) is a Scottish former professional football player and manager. As a midfielder who was also adept in defensive positions, including sweeper and full-back when required, MacLeod was known for his energy, ball-winning capabilities in the centre of the pitch, and long-range shooting. He made over 600 professional appearances and won titles in the top leagues of both Scotland and Germany.

Quick Facts

Full name: Murdo Davidson MacLeod
Height: 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
Born: 24 September 1958
Birthplace: Milngavie, Scotland
Position: Midfielder
Total caps: 619
Total goals: 71

Lore & Background

Over a 22-year playing career he won four league championships and six national cup competitions in Scotland and Germany, played in the latter stages of the European Cup, and made 20 appearances for Scotland including the 1990 World Cup Finals. After a successful playing career with Dumbarton, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and Hibernian, he became a manager during the mid-1990s, serving both Dumbarton and Partick Thistle. MacLeod then returned to Celtic as assistant manager, enjoying a successful season in tandem with Wim Jansen. Since leaving Celtic as a result of Jansen's departure from Celtic Park in 1998, MacLeod has worked as a football pundit for newspapers, radio and television.

Reader's Guide

MacLeod was born in Milngavie in 1958 and signed for Dumbarton in the mid-1970s. He joined the club in 1975 and played 87 competitive first-team league matches in his first spell, scoring 9 goals. By the time of his transfer to Celtic as a 20 year-old in 1978, MacLeod had already played over 100 matches for Dumbarton in all competitions. He made his Celtic debut in a 2-1 defeat against Motherwell at Celtic Park on 4 November 1978.

During his nine years at Celtic Park, MacLeod won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup. In May 1987 he moved to German club Borussia Dortmund. He won the German Cup with the club in 1989, which was Dortmund's first major trophy since the 1966 European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won the 1989 DFB-Supercup with the club.

In October 1990, MacLeod returned to Scotland with Hibernian. He captained them to victory in the 1991 Scottish League Cup Final. In 1992, MacLeod returned to Dumbarton as player-manager. He guided the club to promotion from the Second Division with a last day win over Stirling Albion in 1995.

Early the following season, MacLeod departed to take up the player-manager role with Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premier League. He made two playing appearances for the club, his final match as a player being a 1-0 friendly defeat in Lurgan against Glenavon F.C. in July 1996.

Did You Know?

MacLeod scored a goal that helped Celtic win the league championship in 1979, in a decisive match against Rangers which Celtic won 4-2 despite being reduced to ten men.
He made his European debut for Celtic in September 1979, in a 4-2 aggregate victory over Partizani Tirana.
MacLeod became only the third Scottish professional footballer to play in the Bundesliga and the first of three Scots to represent Borussia Dortmund.
During the 1990 World Cup, a free kick from Brazilian midfielder Branco was blocked by MacLeod in the defensive wall, leaving him momentarily unconscious.