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The Bathgate-born son of a colliery manager John ‘Jean’ McFarlane first signed for Celtic in November 1919 after being spotted in the junior grade at Wellesley.

Initially signed as an inside right he made his big team debut in a 0-0 league draw at Motherwell on April 17th 1920.
The following year he was tried out at left-half in Patsy Gallacher’s benefit game with Burnley and such was the quality of his assured performance that it was not long until he made the position his own.

An elegant presence on the pitch Jean was a wonderful passer of the ball and was supremely gifted at feeding his forwards with chance after chance.

He played his part in the Scottish Cup triumphs of 1923 and 1925 and even when Celtic were off colour McFarlane could always be relied upon to provide some moments of real quality to lift the support.

A consistant and faithful Celtic servant Jean played 304 times for Celtic and scored 13 goals. He eventually departed Parkhead for Middlesbrough in June 1929 but by then there was no doubt he had given his very best service to the Bhoys. A tremendous footballer and a Celtic great.