Charlie Gallagher

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Charlie Gallagher (born 3 November 1940 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a former Irish international football player.^[1]

[edit] Background

Gallagher was born in Glasgow in 1940, the son of Irish parents from County Donegal, and was a cousin of fellow Celtic player Paddy Crerand.

Gallagher first played for St. John's (Gorbals) Boys' Guild in 1952, Holyrood Senior Secondary in 1953, before joining Kilmarnock Amateurs in 1955 and Yoker Athletic in 1958.

[edit] Professional career

Gallagher was recommended to Celtic by his PE teacher, John Murphy. Murphy had connections with Celtic and doubled as announcer at Parkhead on matchdays.^[2]

On 20 September 1958, Gallagher provisionally signed for Celtic and made his full debut on 6 March 1959. Jock Stein signed him as a full professional on the same day.

Gallagher was part of the Lisbon Lions squad that won the 1967 European Cup Final. The same year, Gallagher became the first Scottish born player to play for the Republic of Ireland when he travelled to Ankara on 22 February 1967 to represent Ireland against Turkey.

Gallagher played for Celtic for over ten years, making a total of 171 appearances and scoring 32 goals including 106 Scottish League appearances and 17 league goals. He also played in 13 European games.

Gallagher remained at Celtic until 1 May 1970 when he transferred to Dumbarton F.C.. He retired from playing in April 1973.

Gallagher worked as a scout for Celtic from April 1976 to April 1978.