Anderson, Oliver

He eventually made his first team debut in a 1-0 loss at home to Queens Park on 3rd January 1939, but oen report was positive on his performance stating:

“Both [Anderson & O’Neil] showed promise of fitting into the Parkhead scheme in the not-too-distant future”. (The Glasgow Herald)

He went on to make 11 appearances that season – hitting his first goal in a 3-1 win at home to Clyde on 11th Feb 1939, which was possibly a bit lucky:

“Anderson from 15 yards out, lobbed the ball right over the Brown’s head, and the impression was that the winger did not try to score himself. His delivery looked as if it was meant for a cross to the far post.” (The Glasgow Herald)

He also scored v Motherwell in a 3-2 win, with a header v Queen’s Park in a 2-1 win and scored the equaliser v Kilmarnock in a 1-1 draw, beating three men before smashing a 20-yard shot past their keeper.

However, war was soon to intervene and Anderson was drafted into the Royal Artillery on 1st August 1939, amongst the first draft of men under the Militia Training Act.

It wasn’t until December 1939 that Celtic ‘paid him off’ (as in made him a free agent for the duration of the war) along with others due to the change in circumstances cause of the war, but he had only played a few games in the past season. He had complained that he was never given the chance to settle in one position, that he was every manager’s handyman.

Celtic were poorly managed at this time both on & off the field, and so the golden promise of Oliver Anderson appears to have been lost; as Celtic were abject through this time, it was another opportunity squandered but in fairness the war had begun and everything was in flux.

Celtic still retained his registration until 1946 although his career at Parkhead was all but over after just 16 league appearances. Records show he still made a one-off appearance in season 1940/41 in a league match for Celtic against St Mirren in a 0-0 draw, but also played in Celtic reserves on 15 Jan 1944 before action with his anti-tank unit in France.

He was to play for the SFA XI v the Army in Galashiels on 16 March 1940, with a note on him that:

“[he has] filled out… his play is a lot more purposeful than it used to be.“

He was drafted in France in Sep 1944 and was injured but bravely was said to say:

“I got a bullet through the calf of my leg but that isn’t going to stop me playing!“