[Player Pics]

John Gilchrist was a talented but controversial figure who made 134 appearances for Celtic and scored six goals.

Signed from St Anthony’s in May 1919 the right-half made his debut for the Bhoys on August 18th in a 3-1 league victory over Dumbarton at Parkhead.

On the pitch Gilchrist was an assured ball player and a precision passer. An excellent reader of the game he had the ball skills to complement his vision and this was recognised by his call up to the Scotland team in 1922.

However Gilchrist frequently had run ins with Celtic manager/secretary Willie Maley about the player’s attitude and temprement. Gilchrist was not adverse to challenging the authoritarian Maley and on numerous occasions the half-back further antagonised his boss by failing to turn up for training.

Ultimately the relationship deteriorated to such an extent that the manager and player were no longer on speaking terms. Celtic, not prepared to put up with this attitude, decided to sell Gilchrist and in January 1923 – to the delight of the player - Preston North End paid the then very handsome fee of £4,500 to take him south.

Despite his obvious ability on the ball Gilchrist lacked pace and his overall fitness was not helped by his poor approach to training. At Preston this weakness was exposed on a regular basis and Gilchrist’s dream move quickly descended into a nightmare. By early 1924 the Deepdale club had released Gilchrist and with his reputation in tatters there were few willing takers for a player who less than two years previously was a highly rated international.

Gilchrist signed for Third Lanark in July 1924 but he again failed to impress and the football career of a potentially great player petered out in the relative football backwater of the US.