Full name: David Hay
Born:
Birthplace:
Signed for Celtic: 1966
Debut game: 6 Mar 1968, 4-1 win over Aberdeen
Left Celtic: July 2974
Games for Celtic: 230
Goals: 12

David Hay ("Davie Hay") was unquestionably one of the most complete players to ever pull on the Hoops.

Signed from St Mirin's Boys Guild in March 1966 Paisley-born Hay learnt his trade in the legendary 'Quality Street Gang' Celtic reserve team of the late 60s alongside the incredible talents of Dalglish, McGrain and Connolly.

He made his first team debut as a substiute in a 4-1 league win over Aberdeen at Parkhead on March 6th 1968 and initally he was played in the right-back position.

Jock Stein however recognised that Hay's qualities would be much better utilised in midfield and that is where he really earned his reputation as one of the finest players of his generation. Hay was the rarest of creatures in that he was a creative midfielder who was also a peerless ball winner.

Aggresive in the tackle and assured on the ball Hay established himself as a keystone of both the Celtic team and the Scotland side which qualified for the 1974 World Cup. He was nicknamed 'The Quiet Assasin' for his silent but deadly ability to win the ball.

His Celtic playing career however came to an acrimonious end in when the board refused to meet Hay's request for an increased salary. Given the player's pivotal role in the success of Celtic and his growing reputation on the world scene the requests for a pay rise were probably well justified.

After a European Cup final appearance (1970), winning five league championships, two Scottish Cups and a league cup Hay left Parkhead for Chelsea in July 1974 after 230 appearance for the Hoops and 12 goals. Following his £225,000 switch to Stamford Bridge Hay's career would be interupted by injury but his talent was one Celtic would struggle for years to replace.

One noteble point to Davie Hay's departure was the impact on George Connolly. A precocious talent, George Connolly found it hard at Celtic, and after Davie Hay's departure he didn't stay long himself. Close friends, Davie Hay to this day has remained silent on much of the period of events that surrounded George Connolly.

David Hay would return to Parkhead as manager in 1983 (see below), and latter as part of the management team under Tommy Burns in the 90s.

Major honours as player
5 League titles
2 Scottish Cups
1 League Cup

Manager 1983-1987

Appointed Celtic's manager aged only 35 on the 4th July 1983 having previously coached at Chelsea and been manager of Motherwell. Intelligent,A surprise appointment taking in his inexperience but he was probably one of the last of his kind, as soon after the money revolution began with Souness to become Rangers manager and change the face of football business management in Scotland. Seen as an intelligent, respected tactician with a relaxed style but a harder edge than his demeanour suggests.suggests, he didn't have it easy having to compete against the strong "New Firm" duo of Aberdeen and Dundee Utd. However, his side Wonwon the League title and then the Scottish Cup at Celtic on the eve of the "Souness revolution". With Souness allowed to spend willy-nilly and bring in top players from England (enticed by European football as the English clubs were banned), Davie Hay and Celtic were up against it. Nevertheless, we competed well and he had some fine but difficult players under his belt including Brian McClair, Murdo MacLeod, Alan McInally and Mo Johnston. Didn't stop us squandering a huge pts lead in the final quarter of the season to lose the league to Rangers.

He was sadly dismissed on 28 May 1987., to then be replaced ironically by Billy McNeil who Davie Hay orignally replaced. In many ways, Davie Hay was very unfortunate in that he was given the job when inexperienced but as soon as he gained the experience he was dumped. Poor treatment for the good man. Who knows how it might have panned out if he remained. Nevertheless, he can hold his head up high for his time as Celtic manager.

Also had rewarding spells in Africa and also at St Mirren, Motherwell, Lillestrom and, currently,and Livingston. Later back at Celtic as a scout for players, finding amongst others Pierre Van Hooijdonk. Sadly, a fallout with Jock Brown lead to his moving on again from Celtic.



Major honours as Manager
Scottish Championship 1985-86;
Scottish Cup 1985.

Pictures

• [Player Pics]
• [Manager Pics]

Quotes
"Davie Hay has a fresh pair of legs up his sleeve "
John Greig.
(ex-Hun captain/manager/legend (sic!))

"Davie Hay is a hard, hard guy and a lovely, totally straighforward and honest bloke. But I don't think he was the right man to manage Celtic."
Tommy Burns 1996