Full-back Robert Craig was a highly rated junior when he came to the Bhoys from the Vale of Garnock Strollers in May 1906 as a trialist.

He was signed up after travelling to the Highlands with the Celtic first team in the summer of 1906. The defender then made his competitive Celtic debut in a 6-0 Scottish League triumph at Motherwell on August 18th 1906.

However Beith-born Bobby struggled to make a significant impact at Celtic Park. This was not through any lack of ability but rather due to the fact he faced competition for a starting spot from the likes of Alec McNair and Willie Orr. Although first team starts were rare Bobby proved to be a dependable deputy and was a consistently solid stand-in. He would make a total of 13 appearances for the Hoops before moving south to join Brighton and Hove Albion in 1909.

Spells at various clubs – including Carlisle, Darlington, Renton and Abertillery - followed before Bobby went to serve with the 5th Batallion of the South Wales Borderers in the Great War. He would die in Bolougne from battle wounds on April 19th 1918.



From Robert Hoskins', Celtic Football Club and the Great War

"The final Celt to die in the Great War was Robert Craig who died on Friday 19th April 1918. Robert's Celtic career spanned between 1906-09 where he appeared 13 times as full-back. Robert was a Private in the 5th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers (SWB) and lies buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery which was used as a hospital cemetery. Robert was wounded on the 11th April as the German's re-captured the Belgian town of Messines, the scene of a British victory a year earlier. Ten SWB's died that day and Robert was one of 38 wounded who were taken to hospital."