Tuesday Round-Up: Paying Tribute To Paul Wilson

THE BIG STORY: Today we play tribute to former Celt Paul Wilson, who died yesterday at the age of 66. Wilson, who was the only non-white player to play for Scotland in the 20th Century, was part of the legendary ‘Quality Street Gang’, a group of young Celtic players that included the likes of Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, George Connelly, Lou Macari and Davie Hay who all broke into the Celtic first team in the early 1970s.

Wilson made his debut against KPV Kokkola in 1970, and was a first team regular by 1973. His finest hour came in the 1975 Scottish Cup Final against Airdrie, when playing only days after his mother died he scored two goals in a 3-1 Celtic victory.

Wilson also helped himself to a goal in Celtic’s 6-3 victory over Hibs in the 1974 League Cup Final. Wilson won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and two league cups when he left in 1978 to join Motherwell, he then played for Partick Thistle until retiring at the shockingly young age of 29. Wilson spoke to Celtic’s website a few years ago, and stated that ‘just pulling on the Celtic jersey’ had been a thrill for him, as he grew up a Celtic fan. We wish his family all the best at this sad time.

OTHER NEWS: Dderyck Boyata - who is back in the Celtic squad for tomorrow night’s Betfred Cup trip to Dundee - is set to be offered a new contract, if Brendan Rodgers has his way.

ON THIS DAY: In 1981, Celtic defeated Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox in what was a very comfortable victory. The goals came from a Tom McAdam header and a trademark Murdo MacLeod thunderbolt.