Name:George McCluskey
Signed: July 1974
Left: 1983 (to Leeds)
Position: Forward
Appearances: 204 appearances
Goals: 78 goals

George McCluskey signed full time for Celtic in July 1974 after previously being part of the club’s youth set up.

A wonderfully talented forward Hamilton-born McCluskey combined an elegant first touch with great vision and a thunderous shot and these talents allowed him to score some truly memorable goals.

He made his debut in October 1975 when he came on as sub and scored as Celtic defeated FC Valur 7-0 in the European Cup Winners Cup at Parkhead.

His obvious talent made him a favourite of the support and his place in Celtic folklore is cemented as a member of the team which won the League Championship in such dramatic fashion in 1979 when the Bhoys secured the title with ten men at Parkhead as they came from behind to defeat Rangers 4-2.

At his best McCluskey was a supreme forward with the talent to trouble any defender as his goals in the European Cup against the likes of Ajax and Real Madrid proved. He also played an important role in Billy McNeill’s Celtic side of the early 80s which won back to back titles.

For all his talent though some critics believed McCluskey didn’t score enough goals for a Celtic striker and at a time when the Hoops had an abundance of attacking options McNeill himself often preferred the more aggressive style of Frank McGarvey to George’s elegance.

McCluskey scored 78 goals in 204 appearances for the Hoops before departing for Leeds in 1983 after a fall out with the club over his salary. While the board of the time may be accused of under-valuing McCluskey’s abilities no such accusation can be made of a support who still remember him fondly today.


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