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Provan, Davie
Gourock-born Davie Provan was a traditional winger who burst onto the Scottish scene with Kilmarnock.
A former youth player with Port Glasgow Rovers, he had been with the Ayrshire club for four seasons when he was snapped up by Bhoys boss Billy McNeill in a £100,000 deal on September 18th 1978. An energetic and skilful wideman, Provan also had the intelligence to use the ball wisely and his distribution was seldom anything bar excellent.
A boyhood Rangers fan, Provan had no qualms about coming to Parkhead, although McNeill told him that unless he was prepared to give his all to the Celtic cause then he was better remaining at Rugby Park. Once in the Hoops there was never any question about the winger’s commitment to the Bhoys and he was as tenacious and determined off the ball as he was skilled and assured on it.
Davie made his Celtic debut in a 3-2 league win at Partick Thistle on September 23rd and the Celtic support soon relished the sight of this traditional winger in full flow. The image of Provan – with his now famous perm and socks rolled down – driving past helpless defenders before delivering a typically delicious cross would become a wonderfully common treat for Hoops fans in the late 70s and early 80s.
A member of the famous ’10 Men Won The League’ championship side of 1978-79, Davie went on to claim league winners medals in 1980-81, 1981-82 and 1985-86. His contribution to these honours was often vital.
His talent inevitably led to international recognition with Scotland. A real creative force, his sublime crossing and deadly ability from free-kicks meant there were few areas on the pitch in which Provan was not a threat.
Despite his significant role in various title triumphs, perhaps his most iconic contribution to the Celtic cause came not in the league but in the Scottish Cup. A Cup winner with the Bhoys in 1980 Davie returned to Hampden in 1985 and it was his delightful curling free-kick on 78 minutes which triggered another dramatic Celtic fight back and set the foundations for a famous last gasp 2-1 victory.
In season 1985-86 Davie was struck by a mystery illness. It was a cruel irony that this hard working and energetic player would later be diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Davie’s fight against this cruel illness would not be won over night and so it was in 1987 the winger was forced to call time on his football career at the age of 31. Davie was not beaten though and he battled on to overcome ME.
Now a successful pundit with Sky Sports and other media outlets he retains a high profile. He played 303 times for Celtic and scored 42 goals. Davie was among the finest wingers of his generation in Britain and among the best wideman to ever don the Hoops. When you consider that puts Provan beside names like Patsy Gallacher, Tommy McInally, and Jimmy Johnstone it illustrates just what a talent he was.
Articles
Celtic for me (From "Its Rangers for me?")
Media
Player Pics]
A former youth player with Port Glasgow Rovers, he had been with the Ayrshire club for four seasons when he was snapped up by Bhoys boss Billy McNeill in a £100,000 deal on September 18th 1978. An energetic and skilful wideman, Provan also had the intelligence to use the ball wisely and his distribution was seldom anything bar excellent.
A boyhood Rangers fan, Provan had no qualms about coming to Parkhead, although McNeill told him that unless he was prepared to give his all to the Celtic cause then he was better remaining at Rugby Park. Once in the Hoops there was never any question about the winger’s commitment to the Bhoys and he was as tenacious and determined off the ball as he was skilled and assured on it.
Davie made his Celtic debut in a 3-2 league win at Partick Thistle on September 23rd and the Celtic support soon relished the sight of this traditional winger in full flow. The image of Provan – with his now famous perm and socks rolled down – driving past helpless defenders before delivering a typically delicious cross would become a wonderfully common treat for Hoops fans in the late 70s and early 80s.
A member of the famous ’10 Men Won The League’ championship side of 1978-79, Davie went on to claim league winners medals in 1980-81, 1981-82 and 1985-86. His contribution to these honours was often vital.
His talent inevitably led to international recognition with Scotland. A real creative force, his sublime crossing and deadly ability from free-kicks meant there were few areas on the pitch in which Provan was not a threat.
Despite his significant role in various title triumphs, perhaps his most iconic contribution to the Celtic cause came not in the league but in the Scottish Cup. A Cup winner with the Bhoys in 1980 Davie returned to Hampden in 1985 and it was his delightful curling free-kick on 78 minutes which triggered another dramatic Celtic fight back and set the foundations for a famous last gasp 2-1 victory.
In season 1985-86 Davie was struck by a mystery illness. It was a cruel irony that this hard working and energetic player would later be diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Davie’s fight against this cruel illness would not be won over night and so it was in 1987 the winger was forced to call time on his football career at the age of 31. Davie was not beaten though and he battled on to overcome ME.
Now a successful pundit with Sky Sports and other media outlets he retains a high profile. He played 303 times for Celtic and scored 42 goals. Davie was among the finest wingers of his generation in Britain and among the best wideman to ever don the Hoops. When you consider that puts Provan beside names like Patsy Gallacher, Tommy McInally, and Jimmy Johnstone it illustrates just what a talent he was.
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1978-87 | 192 (14) | 29 | 41 (1) | 25 (1) | 287 (16) |
( ) = Substitute Appearance
Celtic for me (From "Its Rangers for me?")
Media
Player Pics]
Latest page update: made by TheHumanTorpedo
, May 19 2008, 3:51 PM EDT
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Edited by TheHumanTorpedo
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- complete history)
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