M | Player Pics | A-Z of Players

Personal

Fullname: James McKechnie
aka: Jazzer, Jamie McKechnie
Born: 5 Nov 1964
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 5 Apr 1978 (S Form), 27 Jan 1984 (full)
Left: 1986 (free); 1986 (Derry City)
Position: Midfield
Debut: Celtic 0-0 Hibernian, League, 11 Aug 1984
Internationals: none for senior

Biog

James McKechnie was a product of Celtic Boys Club who was tempted south by Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1981.

An outstanding youth prospect who was capped regularly by Scotland at under 18 level the young midfielder failed to settle in England and returned to Celtic in January 1984. For Scotland Boys' Club, he played for them in an eight nation tournament in Nantes (France) and was nominated for "Player of the Tournament" despite Scotland coming third. This is what caused Brian Clough to desperately sign him for Notts Forest, flying him over for the European Cup semi-final v Cologne to entice him to sign (where he likely watched future Celtic manager Martin O'Neill play for Notts Forest that day).

His debut came in a 0-0 league draw with Hibernian on August 11th 1984. He was a regular in the successful Celtic reserve side during the 1984/85 season who won the reserve league and cup double and was rewarded with a start against Dundee at Parkhead on 4 May 1985 when a lacklustre Celtic went down by 1-0.

Sadly McKechnie did not however fulfil his early promise. Through the 85/86 season he played steadily for the Reserves making one representative Celtic appearance in a Friendly against Stirling Albion on the 7th Decemcer 1985.

He had a short loan spell with Norwich in March 1986 but was released by the Bhoys in the summer of 1986 after making just one further senior appearance since his debut.

He subsequently joined Derry City in 1986.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics