Played: 283 games
Scored: 18 goals


Gifted wing-half George Paterson signed for Celtic in March 1932 from Dunipace Juniors and made his first team debut on October 11th 1933 in a 2-1 Glasgow Cup defeat at Rangers.

A hard-working and intelligent player Paterson was a key member of the excellent Celtic side of the late 1930s. Strong in the tackle he also loved to get forward and possessed a powerful shot and excellent passing ability.

His Celtic career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War and during the conflict he was called up to the RAF and played as a guest for the likes of Arsenal, Leicester and Blackpool while on leave.

On New Year’s Day 1945 he scored a stunning long range goal to give Celtic a then all too rare victory over Rangers.
A cool and considered player Paterson was made Bhoys skipper but his Celtic playing career came to a sad end when he was ordered off in the Victory Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden in 1946 after protesting against some of the referees increasingly bizarre decisions against his side.

The Celtic players had alleged at half-time that the ref - a Mr Dale - stunk of alcohol. In the second half the official awarded Rangers a highly dubious penalty to which the normally placid Paterson reacted to by picking up the ball and approaching Mr Dale, telling him to "Shove it up your....!"

It was the first time in a long career Paterson had ever been ordered off but the SFA punished the player by handing him a 3 month ban. That severe punishment astounded the club and devastated Paterson and he was allowed to leave Parkhead for Brentford before the ban had elapsed.

By then he had played 283 games for Celtic and scored 18 goals. He had also picked up winners medals in the league championship (1936, 1938) the Scottish Cup (1937) and the Empire Exhibition Trophy (1938).

Had war not intervened then Paterson – a huge favourite with the fans - may well have enjoyed an even more successful career in the Hoops. He eventually returned to the club in the early 1950s as a coach. A gentleman, a true Celt and an all time great.




Pictures

• George Paterson Pics