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Fullname: Allan Martin
Born: 1873
Died: 12 May 1906 (Springburn)
Birthplace: (Scottish)
Signed: 4 June 1895 (from Hibernian)
Left: 22 June 1896 (to Hibernian)
Position: Forward
Debut: Dundee 1-2 Celtic, League, 10 Aug 1895
Internationals: 0
International Caps: 0
International Goals: 0

Biog

Prolific forward Allan Martin boasts a goal a game scoring record in his solitary season with Celtic.

By trade he was a furnaceman in an iron works who refused to go full-time and put in some horrendous double shifts in order to be free for football. Previously he'd even briefly been on Rangers books, but it is for Hibernian & Celtic for which he is best remembered. He was said to be much in demand so Celtic's capture of him was quite a coup.

Signed from Hibernian in June 1895 Martin made his competitive first team Celtic debut in a 2-1 league win at Dundee on August 10th 1895 and he set the tone for the season ahead by grabbing a goal.

An ex-Rangers player, he played 2 matches in 1892-93 at centre forward (no goals). However, it was Celtic that he grabbed his glory, and Allan Martin was in the Celtic team that clinched the league with a 6-2 home triumph over the Ibrox side. Allan Martin scored an incredible 18 goals in 18 games as Celtic claimed the League title and the Glasgow Charity Cup.

He was the top scorer in the Scottish League Division one in 1895-96, and managed to win a place in the Scottish League team of 1896 v Irish League, scoring all 3 goals in a 3-2 win. Remarkable.

However he decided to return to Hibernian in the summer of 1896. This proves that the traffic of players lost between the two clubs was never all one way, and the loss of Allan Martin was likely a very sore one.

Hibs were second in the chase for the league title at his first try (ahead of Celtic but behind winners Hearts), and they finished third during the 1897/98 season (behind title winners Celtic). Gradually, however, he lost his bite, and during the 1898/99 season was only a reserve with Easter Road, whom he then left (although still had a very good scoring rate). If he'd stuck with Celtic then who knows maybe he'd have been holding two league titles, can only theorise now.

He was incredibly never nominated for the Scottish national team despite his achievements, but then again maybe proves again to the doubters when it comes to the national side.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1896

Pictures

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