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Fullname: James McLaren
aka: Jimmy McLaren
Born: 27 April 1860
Died: 3 January 1927
Birthplace Lugar, Ayrshire
Signed: June 1888, 1895
Left: June 1891 (to Morton) retired 1896
Position: Left-Half
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 3
International Goals: 1

Biog

Lugar-born James McLaren was one of a small group of Hibernian players to defect to Celtic in 1888. The Ayrshire man's first appearance for the fledgling Celts came on June 16th 1888 when he appeared in a benefit match at Mossend Swifts.

A member of the Hi-Bees' great Scottish Cup winning side of 1887, his competitive debut for the Bhoys came in the same competition as Celtic defeated Shettleston 5-1 at Parkhead on September 1st 1888. That match however wasn’t his first appearance at Celtic Park, haven’t played there for Hibs against Cowlairs in the ground’s inaugural match.

A Scotland international McLaren inspired the national side to victory over England at the Kennington Oval on April 13th 1889. McLaren had been in superb form as Scotland -featuring four Celts - battled back from a 2-0 half-time deficit. As the game entered its final minute, with the scores tied at 2-2, McLaren struck a wonderful 20-yard volley to seal a famous last-gasp victory. He would make Celtic history the following season when at Hampden Park on May 4th 1890, in a 1-1 draw with England at, he became the first Bhoy to captain Scotland.

The left half was an excellent reader of the game and showed his versatility when he appeared in goal for the Celts in the club's first ever Scottish League match - a 4-1 defeat to Renton which was lated declared void.

He left Parkhead for Morton in June 1891 but returned to the Bhoys in 1895 after a spell at Clyde. He retired in 1896 having played a total of 16 competitive games for the Celts and scoring two goals. Jimmy would go on to be a referee before emigrating to Canada in 1912. He would return to Europe all too soon though and fought with the Canadian Foresters in the battlefields of France in 1917.

Jimmy McLaren died on his ranch near Vancouver in January 1927.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

None

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