John McPhail

Born in Lambhill, Glasgow, McPhail attended St Mungo's Academy before signing for Celtic, the club he supported, in October 1941 from junior side Strathclyde, aged just 17. He initially played as a right half and soon earned a nickname, "Hooky", due to his tendency to kick the football with the outside of his boot. The name stuck with him throughout his life. His early years with Celtic coincided with a period of domination by their Old Firm rivals, Rangers. In 1945 he did earn a winner's medal in the minor Victory In Europe Cup, but in 1948 was part of the Celtic team that only narrowly avoided relegation on the last day of the season. In 1950 McPhail was transformed into a centre forward, a move that revitalised his career. During the first season following the switch he was "his side's inspiration, and the idol of the supporters", according to author and historian Tom Campbell in Glasgow Celtic 1945-1970. He captained the team to a Scottish Cup victory in 1951, scoring seven of the team's 19 goals in that competition, including the only goal of the final against Motherwell with a skilful lob over the opposing goalkeeper. This marked the first cup success for the club in 14 years; it was followed by a Coronation Cup victory in 1953 and a league championship title and Scottish Cup double in 1954 (although he played little part in the cup run). It was in this period McPhail earned five caps for Scotland, scoring three goals. He also played for the Scottish League XI. By 1954…