[Player Pics]

A highly-rated prospect Steve Hancock was a 1968 Celtic ‘S’ form signing who made a huge impression in junior football when farmed out to Newtongrange Star in 1970.

He signed senior terms with the Bhoys in September that year while continuing to impress at Newtongrange. But despite obvious talent and stand-out performances at junior level Hancock failed to make the considerable step up to top flight football.

He made just one competitive appearance for the Hoops when he came on as sub in a 2-1 European Cup victory at Sliema Wanderers in October 1971. His stubborn reluctance to move from Edinburgh to Glasgow didn’t help endear him to Jock Stein and Hancock’s Bhoys career ended when he was released by the club in 1974 – by which time he was even out of the reserve team picture.