Ryan, Vincent

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Fullname: Vincent Ryan
aka: Vince Ryan, Vinnie Ryan
Born: 25 October 1935
Birthplace: Dublin
Signed: 31 Aug 1953
Left: 7 Feb 1958 (to St Mirren)
Position: Defence & Midfield
Debut: Celtic 1-0 Hamilton, League, 26 April 1954
Internationals: none

Biog

Dubliner Vincent Ryan joined Celtic in August 1953 from local side Home Farm despite interest from Matt Busby at Manchester United. Matt Busby went on to sign Ryan’s team mate, Liam (Billy) Whelan, who sadly was one of eight Man Utd players who were to die in the Munich air disaster (RIP).

“Vince Ryan is the most promising player I have ever seen” – Duggie Livingstone (Ireland Youth coach 1953).

Comfortable in defence and midfield he made his Bhoys debut at right-back as Celtic defeated Hamilton 1-0 in a league clash at Parkhead on 26th April 1954, one of the last games of the season in the great double winning side of that season. His debut came after the two consecutive matches that sealed for Celtic first the league and then the Scottish Cup title.

Vince Ryan was undoubtedly a decent player but his lack of consistency meant he found it difficult to hold down a regular starting spot. He was very young when he arrived at the club, and by the time he had matured, the first team had again lost its way.

It wasn’t until season 1956-57 that he finally won his next first team place, and had a fair run standing in for Bobby Collins for 2-3 months, although this coincided with a number of dropped points including a 2-0 defeat to Rangers.

His best was probably scoring in two consecutive matches in Dec 1956, once in a 7-3 win over Airdrie and then next in a 3-3 match v Hibs, both away in the league. His only other goal was his debut goal in Nov 1956 when he scored in a 4-0 win over East Fife.

He again was dropped but won a shorter run of games in the next season again filling in for Bobby Collins. In this second run, in one Ne’er Day derby, Sammy Wilson set up many chances but Vince Ryan could not capitalise on them, and in against Aberdeen on 18th Jan 1958 he missed a penalty well wide. He didn’t score a goal in this final run, that penalty was likely handed to him to help his confidence but looks like the move back-fired, and Celtic dropped a point as the sides drew 1-1. So looks like the writing was on the wall now for Vince.

It was a poor time to be at Celtic for aspiring footballers. He arrived just as Celtic hit their peak in the 1950’s, but thereafter were quite poor (bar the League Cup wins). Jimmy McGrory (increasingly a coach in name only) was looking over a side that saw the board meddle heavily in the first team affairs to the detriment of all.

He had made 22 appearances for Celtic, scoring three goals but it wasn’t to be. Sadly, he never got to play in the matches on the run to the much celebrated league cup victories in 1956 & 1957.

His great promise did not materialise at Celtic, but sadly that was a much too often repeated tale at Celtic on young players from that time.

He was transferred to St Mirren on 7th February 1958 for a fee said to be around the £2000 mark, and later moved back to Ireland to play for Drumcondra.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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