Career summary

Clydebank 1981-83
Dundee United 1983-86
Dundee 1986-1989
Celtic 1 March 1989-11 March 1993
Tranmere Rovers March-November 1993
Motherwell 1993-1998
Dundee 1998-2000
Clydebank
Albion Rovers

Celtic scoring record:

League: 105 apps, 43 goals
League Cup: 6 apps, 1 goal
Scottish Cup: 16 apps, 8 goals
Europe: 5 apps, 0 goals
Total: 132 apps, 52 goals


Summary
Tommy Coyne was a hard working and skilful finisher who enjoyed a peripatetic career between the two Dundee clubs, Celtic and Motherwell. Despite never seeming to do enough to nail down an undisputed first choice striker's role at Celtic under successive managers, he earned a creditable 22 caps for the Republic of Ireland (another loss for Scotland's national side), including a memoral lone striker's shift in the memorable 1-0 defeat of Italy in Giants Stadium in the World Cup in USA 1994 playing for Jack Charlton's heroes.

Bizarrely often the first player squeezed out by replacements such as Cascarino, Payton and McAvennie (second time around), 'der bomber' was highly regarded among large sections of the crowd, particularly by contrast against a number of less effective players to lead the forward line in the seasons to immediately follow. Liam Brady didn't like players who scored goals or something to the effect it seemed.

Tragedy struck with the loss of his wife following his transfer to Tranmere, and upon his return north, was a popular and prolific figure at Fir Park.

Like many forwards supposedly dogged by lack of pace, Coyne enjoyed a lengthy career and was using his guile to great effect in the Premier League well into his mid 30s.

Pictures

• Tommy Coyne Pictures