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Gillespie, Gary
Personal
Date of Birth: Tuesday, 5th July 1960,
Birthplace: Bonneybridge, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
International Caps 13
International Goals 0
Playing Career
| Years | Club | Appearances | Goals |
| 1977-78 | Falkirk | 22 | 0 |
| 1978-83 | Coventry City | 172 | 6 |
| 1983-91 | Liverpool | 156 | 14 |
| 1991-94 | Celtic | 69 | 2 |
| 1994-97 | Coventry City | 3 | 0 |
Celtic Career Review
Scotland international Gary Gillespie was signed from Liverpool in August 1991 as the supposed answer to Celtic’s defensive frailties.
The tall Bonnybridge-born centre-half had a wealth of experience from his time with the Anfield club and had been no stranger to silverware during his time on Merseyside. A cultured, ball playing defender the former Falkirk and Coventry man, at a cost of £925,000, was a relatively high profile and big money signing for the Bhoys.
But in truth the 31-year old was injury prone and coming towards the end of a career. For all his undoubted qualities on the ball from the off Celtic supporters were wondering if Gillespie could really provide the steel needed in defence.
He got off to a good start with a goal on his competitive debut as Celtic defeated his old club Falkirk 4-1 in a league clash at Parkhead on August 17th. Not helped by playing in a Celtic side far removed from the quality he was used to on Merseyside things were never to get any better for Gary.
His playing style too often looked casual rather than cultured and niggling injuries seemed to blight him on a frequent basis.
In a more robust and resilient side than the Celtic of the early 1990s a peak-form Gary Gillespie would undoubtedly be an asset. However in a side with a defensive spine as robust as candy floss an over the hill Gary Gillespie was simply not the answer and (unsubstaniated) rumours of a £3,000-a-week contract also did little to win over a sceptical support.
Gary would be released by Celtic – who were struggling on the pitch and the balance sheet – in May 1994.
Further Links
Gary Gillespie Kerrydale Wiki Pics
Gary Gillespie Soccerbase Page
Gary Gillespie Football Heroes Page
Gary Gillespie Wikipedia Page
Latest page update: made by TheHumanTorpedo
, May 28 2008, 8:46 AM EDT
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Edited by TheHumanTorpedo
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Edited by TheHumanTorpedo
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1 word deleted
view changes
- complete history)
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