[Player Pics]

Big hearted Willie Cringan originally joined Celtic on loan from Sunderland in May 1917 when he returned to his native Scotland to assist the war effort by working in the mines.

The centre-half made his competitive debut in a Charity Cup tie at Ibrox on May 12th when the Bhoys defeated Rangers 2-0. Cringan was outstanding that day and by September Willie was with the Bhoys full time. A fantastically committed and whole hearted Celt, Willie was a most dependable defender who gave his all for the Hoops. He made a significant contribution to the league championship triumphs of 1919 and 1922 and was a key member of the 1923 Scottish Cup winning side.

Sadly in October 1923, after years of faithful and unswerving commitment to the club he loved and bled for, Willie was transferred to Third Lanark after he spoke on behalf of his team-mates who were merely requesting that directors considered a new bonus system having just accepted a cut in basic pay.

It was a spiteful and unjust way to end the Parkhead career of such a committed Celt but typically Willie - who made 214 appearances and scored nine times for the Bhoys - took it with good grace.