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Personal
Fullname: Patrick McCabe
aka: Pat McCabe, John McCabe, John ‘Pat’ McCabe
Born: […]
Died: […]
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 9 Mar 1915 (from East Stirling)
Left: 16 Sep 1916 (to East Stirling)
Position: Outside-Left
Debut: Hamilton Acc 2-3 Celtic, League, 16 Oct 1915
Internationals: none
Biog
Pat McCabe began a brief Celtic career when he joined his beloved Bhoys from East Stirling in wartime March 1915, and was forecast to become “another star“.
He made his debut for the Hoops at Celtic Park in a friendly against Glentoran on 13th March and his first full-team debut in a 3-2 league win at Hamilton on October 16th, filling in for Andy McAtee.
According to reports: “He started gingerly… Gallagher gave him every opportunity to shine… with a few more outings he will be difficult to displace“. It wasn’t to be.
He would only make one further appearance, the following week in a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren at home. Taking in the next match was against Rangers, Andy McAtee was back in the side but Celtic still lost 3-0. In the following match, O’Kane was used as a fill-in for McAtee instead of McCabe, so likely this was the end for McCabe at Celtic, despite early hopes, and a further chance never arose.
In his second match he was marked by Hugh McGrory, brother of future Celtic legend Jimmy McGrory.
Celtic were perennial league title winners at this time, so not easy for any new player to break into a successful side. He still got to play in a league title winning side with Celtic which is something to cherish.
“He had no real chance because of Browning’s consistency… he is young enough and may yet get his chance with the team he loves.”
He returned to East Stirling in September 1916, before signing for the Scots Guards in 1916. He later moved back to East Stirling before wrapping up his time with Banknock Juniors in 1920.
His son, Jim McCabe, went on to play for Australia and win 25 caps. Jim McCabe was training at Celtic in January 1960, but didn’t win a place at the club.
Pat McCabe, despite the short spell, still appears to have been a proud Celt, and attended the big reunion of ex-Celts organised by the James Kelly (Blantyre) CSC in late 1951.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1915 | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Goals | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League