Greenock-born John O'Connor was an outside-left who had played for Celtic in various friendly games before making his competitive debut in the club's first ever Scottish Cup tie - the 5-1 defeat of Shettleston on September 1st 1888.

Typical of the nomadic existence of some early footballers he soon moved on and eventually played in England with Warwick County, Aston Villa and Port Vale before returning to Celtic in 1892 for another brief spell with the Bhoys.

John played a total of three games for the Celts.