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Coatbridge-born Gerry Creaney was a product of Celtic Boys club and hailed as one of the brightest stiking prospects in Scotland.

Creaney – a proud "born and bred Celt" - signed full-time for the Hoops in May 1987 and would hit the target on a frequent basis at reserve and youth team level. His first team debut came on March 24th 1990 but he couldn’t help a dire Celtic side break the deadlock in a 0-0 league draw at Dunfermline. In fact Celtic were to go four league games without scoring before Creaney netted his first goal for the first team in a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee on April 21st.

By the start of season 1990-91 Creaney was a first team regular but Celtic’s performances remained wretched. The striker hit 10 goals over the term – including one in a Scottish Cup victory over Rangers. The following year Creaney enjoyed his best run of form in a Celtic shirt hitting 23 goals in 27 appearances to provide at least one ray of hope in yet another dismal season.

Creaney’s development was then hit by injury and the arrival of Lou Macari as boss signalled the end of his Celtic career, with the new manager chosing to play Gerry out wide rather than in his preferred striker role.

After 142 appearances and 55 goals for the Bhoys Gerry Creaney reluctantly departed Celtic Park for Portsmouth in January 1994 in a £600,000 move. Although he may have lacked the ability of a Nicholas, McClair or Johnston there is little doubt that Creaney at least deserved an opportunity to play in a better Celtic side than the one he did.