McNally, Mark

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PersonalMcNally, Mark - Kerrydale Street

Full name: Mark McNally
Born:
10 March 1971
Birthplace: Motherwell, Scotland
Signed: 15 May 1987
Left:
7 Dec 1995
Position:
Defender
Debut:
Celtic 3-1 Motherwell, League, 6 Nov 1990
Internationals:
Scotland
International Caps 0
International Goals 0

Biog McNally, Mark - Pic

A no frills centre-half Mark McNally was a product of Celtic Boys Club who signed professional terms with the Hoops in May 1987 after he had played for Celtic Boys Club from U13 level onwards.

After establishing himself at the club he won his first team debut against Motherwell in November 1990 in a 2-1 win. He had a good first season in the senior side gaining experience as well as confidence and the trust of his fellow professionals playing predominantly as a central defender and right-back. He was also selected for Scotland U-21 this season and awarded a new contract with improved terms to June 1993. Things looked up for young Mark McNally.

Season 1991/92 was his probably best season with the club under the management of Liam Brady and he picked up three Man of the Match awards, one of which was for an outstanding display in the game v Rangers in Nov 91 where he did an exceptional job of marking Mark Hateley out of much of the game. Unfortunately, he tore a thigh muscle against Hearts in January 1992 which kept him out of first team contention pretty much for the rest of the season.

He fought his way back from the injury but the following season saw him back in the Premier Reserves before having to fight again his way back into the team. A knee injury kept him out through October and November but he returned for a solid run till another knee injury against Airdrie in April required a cartilage operation. Once again he missed the end of the season, and it was frustrating for him and Celtic who were in dire straits (it was the ‘Barren Days’ of ‘Sack The Board’).

He started 1993/94 brightly under Brady but was not fancied by Lou Macari after Brady’s departure. Again he fought his way back into the team to be a first pick at centre-back. He was part of the mass-player resignation to the old Board that failed to materialise but he did start negotiating on a new contract at Celtic as the season drew to a close. However, with the Celtic Takeover and Lou Macari’s sacking he had to wait and deal with newly appointed Tommy Burns.

It was no easy time, the first team was a shambles and off-field was taking all focus off of on-field. No investment, a poor squad and low morale, it was a desperate environment to be in. Young players like Mark McNally suffered from it. The defence was too often disorganised and poorly functioning, despite the squad having various good defensive players over the time.

Newly installed manager Tommy Burns wasn’t convinced of Mark McNally, and in any case wanted a spring clean out of players. Although, a one year deal was offered, Mark McNally went through the season signing month-to-month deals. He had a difficult start to the 1994-95 season with no more than average performances and by October, still on month-to-month deals, he was linked with a move to Bolton.

By March 1995 he was tasting life in the Reserves again but he won a reprieve for the important upcoming Scottish Cup Final, as Brian O’Neil was out and Tony Mowbray suspended. He went on to pick up his only winners medal whilst at the club in what was a nervous match in what was to be his final appearance for Celtic. He’d finally helped the side win the Scottish Cup and a major piece of silverware, defeating Airdrie 1-0 at Hampden in 1995 (and a cleansheet to boot). It was the least that Mark McNally deserved.

At the start of 1995-96 he was still unable to find any common ground with the Club and started the season with the Reserves once more. He went to Manchester City on loan for a month in late October and on his return was sold for £50k to Southend, after interest from Partick and Falkirk fell through.

A fine gentleman to meet and talk to who was always approachable but it was unfortunate that apart from a few short spells he never really came up to be the player that was required at the time. His distribution could be too often poor and this weakness was more then often exposed on those occasions when he was asked to fill in at right back (for which he wasn’t suited). He was however a fully committed and whole hearted player who never gave anything but his all for the Hoops, and was unfairly maligned by critics amongst the support. Fans like an easy target and he was unfairly targeted too often especially in those frustrating and barren days. All the supporters were in the doldrums, and any mistake by players would be jumped upon.

We hoped him all the best. An honest player with limitations who played during a very difficult time for the club, but did give some very fine performances along the way for which we will remember him very fondly for. He may not have been a classic defender but he gave his all.

Post-Celtic Career
Mark McNally spent two seasons with Southend United making over fifty league appearances for the club before being transferred to Stoke City for £120,000 in 1997, being released from there at the end of the 1997-98 season.

He returned to Scotland to join Dundee United making his debut for the club against Kilmarnock on August 1, 1998. In January 2000, Mark McNally was placed on loan to Ayr United until the end of the season. He was released to enable him to sign up for Partick Thistle.

Despite being the Jags fans player of the season he was released again and had a brief period with Clydebank before joining former Partick Thistle team-mate Allan Moore at Stirling Albion. At the ‘Binoshe’, he found a valued home as a veteran, and in 2005 Mark McNally was appointed as Assistant Manager whilst maintaining his player registration.

McNally left Stirling Albion at the end of the 2007-08 season to join the Scottish Football Association as part of their youth coaching initiative. He later moved to Morton as assistant manager from 2010-2013.

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Quotes

“I was a big Celtic fan as a kid and it was a dream to be able to play for my boyhood heroes — no one can take it away from me. Yes, it would have been nice to have played when there was a bit more stability but it wasn’t to be and I’m just grateful for what was.”
Mark McNally (2001)

Playing Career

Club From To Fee League Scottish/
FA Cup
League cup Other
Stirling 24/07/2002 31/05/2008 Free 130 (0) 0 9 (0) 0 4 (0) 0 10 (0) 0
Clydebank 01/07/2001 24/07/2002 Free 18 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 1 (0) 0
Partick 07/10/2000 01/07/2001 Signed 22 (0) 1 2 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Ayr 12/02/2000 08/05/2000 Loan 5 (3) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Dundee Utd 10/07/1998 20/12/1999 Free 4 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 1 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Stoke 27/03/1997 10/07/1998 £ 120000 6 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Southend 08/12/1995 27/03/1997 £ 50000 53 (2) 2 2 (0) 0 2 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Celtic 15/05/1987 07/12/1995 Youth 112 (10) 3 10 (0) 0 11 (2) 1 6 (1) 0
Totals £170,000 350 (18) 6 23 (0) 0 18 (2) 1 17 (1) 0
  goals / game 0.01 0 0.05 0
  Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Cup

Pictures