Jim Craig (footballer)

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This page refers to the Scottish footballer. For the American Ice Hockey player see Jim Craig

Jim Craig (b. 7 May 1943, Glasgow) was a footballer for Celtic, a member of the Lisbon Lions.

One of the most underrated defenders of his time, Jim Craig signed for Celtic in January 1965 just two years after plying his skills on the amateur front for Glasgow University.

He displaced Willie O'Neill and Ian Young at right back much to the dismay of many Celtic fans. Jim was a natural for Jock Stein, a player who turned the business of overlapping in support of his frontmen into an art form. With Craig and Tommy Gemmell Stein invented Wing-backs.

Back in the sixties, it was unusual for anyone to be mindful of what life held in store for them after football. However, Jim Craig was an intelligent forward-thinking man. Thanks to Celtic's latitude and support, he was afforded the opportunity to study to be a dentist whilst holding down a professional contract.

During his tenure at Parkhead, the lanky defender collected 14 domestic honours as well as a European medal in 1967. He made 231 appearances for Celtic scoring 6 goals. He won one cap for Scotland.