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Fullname: Anthony Shepherd
aka: Tony Shepherd
Born: 16 November 1966
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 11 August 1983
Left: Summer 1989 (to Carlisle Utd)
Position: Midfield
First game: Queens Park 2-1 home Scottish Cup 15 February 1986
Last game: Falkirk 3-2 home League 28 October 1987
First goal: Motherwell 3-1 home League 18 October 1987
Last goal: Dundee United home League 24 October 1987
Internationals: none

Biog

Tony Shepherd was a hard running midfielder who was a product of Celtic Boys Club. He had a fine pedigree and came to Celtic as captain of the Scottish youth side.

He signed professional forms with the senior side in August 1983 and made his debut at Parkhead in a 2-1 Scottish Cup victory over Queen’s Park on 2nd February 1986 making both the goals in that game for McClair and Aitken. Everybody raved about his performance in that game and a bright future seemed assured. He was rewarded with an appearance as sub against Hearts the following week in a 1-1 draw in front of 46,000 fans, instantly recognisable with his thick mop of bright blond hair.

Tony broke through into the first team in September 1986 and had fine games in the 2-0 wins against St.Mirren and Hearts respectively. He held down a place against Dynamo Kiev and impressed and was also in the side against Rangers who lost 2-1 in the League Cup final at Hampden. In this game Tony was sensationally sent off by referee Bob Valentine who assumed that Tony had struck him from behind when he had actually been struck by a coin. In fairness to Valentine he changed his mind and allowed Tony to remain on the field.

After this Tony fell away slightly as he found it hard to compete with McStay, Grant and Burns for a place in the Celtic midfield. In 1987 after Billy McNeill returned as manager Tony made isolated appearances but decided to move after Billy Stark and Joe Miller joined from Aberdeen.

Tony left Celtic in the summer of 1989 for Carlisle United after 38 appearances and two goals and a suspicion that a boy with his talent should have had a better Celtic career.

He left Carlisle in 1989 and after a spell with Bristol Rovers, he played for Motherwell from July 1991 to May 1993. He then left to play in N. Ireland playing first for Portadown. He returned in summer 1995 for short spells with Ayr, Partick and Stranraer. In November 1996 he was playing for Glenavon when he was summarily sacked for head-butting an opponent in a game against Portadown (see reference). Then a 3-month contract with Cliftonville culminated in March 1997.

He ended his professional career like may players of the time with a spell with Albion Rovers retiring in 1998.

He subsequently became a trainee fireman while featuring for Glenafton and Lesmahagow in the Junior ranks.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

N/A

Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• Celtic Programme Feature (March 85)