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Fullname: James Brogan aka: Jim Brogan, Brogie
Born: 5 June 1944
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed:11 September 1962
Left: May 1975
Position: Defender/left back
First game: Falkirk 0-1 away League 21 September 1963
Last game : Rangers 2-2 Hampden Glasgow Cup final 10 May 1975
First Goal : Saint Mirren 5-2 away league 13 February 1965
Last goal : Dundee 2-1 away Drybrough cup 31 July 1973
Internationals:Scotland
International Caps: 4 games
International Goals: 0 goals

Biog

Jim Brogan signed for Celtic in 1962 from junior side St Roch's although it would not be until the 1968/69 that Jim could regard himself as a first team player. His first appearance was against Falkirk in September 1963 when he played right half at Brockville alongside his brother and winger Frank Brogan.

Jim became a stalwart of the Celtic reserve side and could be called upon as a reliable replacement in any of the half back positions. On September 5th 1964 Brogan and John Cushley stood in for the injured regulars Bobby Murdoch and Billy McNeill respectively, and helped Celtic to a memorable, if surprising, 3-1 win on a day of atrocious weather conditions when Charlie Gallagher even contrived to miss a penalty. There was a press backlash afterwards as some scribes felt the aggressive Brogan and Cushley had gone too far with the physicality, especially on the much vaunted Rangers duo of George McLean and Jim Forrest.

Jim showed great loyalty to Celtic by going back in the reserves for another long period and it was only when John Clark was injured in February of 1968 that Jim was given an extended run in the side and never looked back. Brogan had a great end to the season as Celtic went on a long unbeaten run and won the league at Dunfermline in their last game on April 30th 1968 to give Jim his first winners medal. He was a natural in an aggressive role at sweeper alongside centre-half Billy McNeill.

Such was Jim's good form that John Clark was now only used sparingly by Jock Stein. Jim had a great season in 1969/69 when he helped Celtic to another domestic treble and had notable games in the European Cup against Red Star Belgrade and AC Milan. In the Scottish Cup final against Rangers on April 26th 1969 he helped Celtic to fantastic 4-0 victory and stood his ground in a physical encounter notable for many heavy tackles. This was right up Jim's street as he was well capable of handling himself when the going got tough.

The 1969/70 season was perhaps Jim's best for Celtic when the club reached it's second European Cup Final. He had excellent games against Fiorentina and especially against Leeds when he and McNeill helped to blunt the famed Leeds strike force of Mick Jones and Alan Clarke. Sadly, Celtic went down 2-1 to Feyenoord in the final in Milan, although Brogan played well and it was the creative side of the Celtic team that was found wanting on the night.

Jim continued to be a regular in Stein's great Celtic sides of the early 1970's and was converted to left-back in 1971 after Tommy Gemmell fell from grace and was moved on, allowing the graceful George Connelly to fill in for Jim in the sweeper's role in defence alongside Billy McNeill. Two of his earliest outings in the number 3 shorts were in the 1971 Scottish Cup final and replay against Rangers when Celtic eventually won 2-1. Jim was up against Willie Henderson on both occasions and twice managed to win his personal battles with Rangers right-wing star. In 1971 he won four caps for Scotland such was his good form and he had the distinction of playing against England at Wembley in a 3-1 defeat on May 22nd 1971.

Jim continued at left back for the rest of his time with Celtic and although he lacked the pace and flair of Gemmell in attack he helped to stabilise the Celtic defence in a defensive capacity and was a match for any winger in the Scottish League. In 1971/72 he won another League and Cup double and had a hugely enjoyable day in Celtic's 6-1 thrashing of Hibernian in the 1972 Scottish Cup Final. In Europe that season Celtic reached another European Cup semi final and Brogan was injured in the first leg in the San Siro and missed the return in Glasgow, his place going to the inexperienced 18 year old Pat McCluskey. Celtic agonisingly lost by 5-4 on penalty kicks.

By the 1972/73 season Jim was one of Stein's most experienced and trusted men. His experience was put to good use in the spring of 1973 when Rangers pushed Celtic all the way and the 8th consecutive title was only clinched on the last day at Easter Road with a 3-0 win against Hibs in front of 45,000 fans. By the autumn of 1973 only McNeill, Johnstone, Lennox and 'Brogie' were still at Parkhead from the old guard of the sixties as Jock Stein went through a successful rejuvenation of the side with the younger element such as McGrain, Connelly, Hay and Dalglish now permanent fixtures in the first team.

Another League and Cup double came Celtic's way in the 1973/74 season although the season was spoiled when the thugs of Atletico Madrid came to Glasgow and soiled the name of Spanish football with their rough house tactics. Three Atletico players were sent of that night for vicious and crude challenges and Jim Brogan could be seen 'setting about' several Madrid players in the tunnel as the patience of the Celtic players eventually snapped. On a happier note Jim was in the team that won the 9 in a row League championship at Brockville on April 27th 1974 and was in the Celts side that beat Dundee United 3-0 in the 1974 Scottish Cup Final.

Season 1974/75 was to be Jim's last with mixed results. He was in his normal left-back position when Celtic blitzed Hibs 6-3 in October 1974 in the League Cup final, although Celtic lost both the Glasgow derbies in the league, results that would ultimately cost them 10 in a row. On September 14th 1974 he was controversially sent off against Rangers at Parkhead with the score at 1-1 and this contributed to Rangers winning the game 2-1. By the spring of 1975 he had lost his left back position to Andy Lynch and it was Lynch who got the nod for the Scottish Cup final against Airdrie on May 3rd 1975. By this time it was announced that Jim was being released and Jock Stein made him captain in an emotional last appearance against Rangers in the 1975 Glasgow Cup Final on May 10th. This game was played in part to celebrate Glasgow's 700th anniversary and finished in a 2-2 in front of a crowd of 70,000.

Jim Brogan was not noted for goalscoring but three goals stand out and ironically they were all winning goals late in the game.

1. A late winner in the 83rd minute against Aberdeen in October 1969 at Pittodrie when Celtic came from behind to win after Jim had gone up or a corner..
2. A late winner in extra time in July 1974 at Dens Park against Dundee in the Drybrough Cup final, a fine shot from the edge of the area in extra time in a 2-1 win.
3. However Jim will best be remembered for his dramatic winner against Rangers on January 3rd 1972. With the game at 1-1 and in the 90th minute Harry Hood superbly controlled a ball and lobbed it across goals where Jim stole in to glance the ball past Peter McCloy to give Celtic victory.

Jim spent a year and a half with Coventry City in the English first division between Summer 1975 and Autumn of 1976. He appeared at Parkhead with Ayr United on April 30th 1977 and was given a tremendous ovation by the appreciative Celtic fans.

Jim Brogan won 7 titles, 4 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups and is easily one of Celtic's most successful players. With his whole hearted attitude, determination and great defensive play Jim was an inspiration in Jock Stein's successful sides from 1968-1975 and is very fondly remembered.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72,
• 1972-73, 1973-74,

Scottish Cup

• 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974

Scottish League Cup

• 1968-69, 1969-70, 1974-75,

Quotes

"Jim what was your favourite moment in football,scoring the winning goal against the Rangers or carrying the hamper for the Lisbon Lions?"
Bertie Auld in jest to Jim Brogan

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