Quinn, Jimmy (1963-74)

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Personal

Fullname: James Quinn
aka: Jimmy Quinn III
Born : 23 November 1947
Died: 29 April 2002
Birthplace: Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire
Signed: 24 Nov 1963; 19 July 1969
Left: 1964 (farmed-out); 18 Dec 1974 (free); Jan 1975 (to Sheff Wed)
Position: Centre-forward, left-back
Debut: Rangers home 2-2 league 2 January 1968
Last game: Aberdeen away 0-0 league 29 April 1974
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: none

BiogJimmy Quinn

Jimmy Quinn, the grandson of the Celtic legend of the same name (Jimmy Quinn), was a versatile performer who signed for the Hoops as a youngster in November 1963 from Holy Cross Croy Boys Guild.

Kilsyth-born Jimmy Quinn made a surprise debut for the Bhoys as a sub in a 2-2 league draw with Rangers at Parkhead on January 2nd 1968. Best of all was that Jimmy Quinn was a member of the much lauded Quality Street Gang, where he played amongst some of the finest talent around in Scotland all of whom were at Celtic (e.g. George Connelly, Dalglish, Connelly etc) and made life-long friends with many of them.

Despite being gifted with phenomenal pace Jimmy never really established himself as a first team regular, although he wasn’t helped by frequent injuries.

In the spring of 1968 he scored his only goal for Celtic in a major competition, the goal coming against Kilmarnock in a 6-0 demolition at Rugby Park but despite that good fortune, from then on until 1970 he was to remain mostly on the fringes of the first team.

He scored a magnificent goal against Rangers at Hampden in August 1970 in the Glasgow Cup Final when Celtic’s young side thrashed Rangers 3-1. It was said that Jimmy Quinn’s goal was reminiscent of Bobby Lennox, a speedy burst through the Rangers’ defence and a strong finish.

In October 1970 Jock Stein converted him to a left back after a spell in the reserves and he was called in as no.3 for the League Cup Final on October 24th 1970 which Celtic surprisingly lost 1-0.

In the 1971/72 season he had a settled run at left back and played at Methil against East Fife on April 15th 1972 when Celtic won their seventh consecutive league title. He started the 1972/73 season as first choice left back but lost his place after injury.

He played against Partick in November 1973 on the day when Dixie Deans scored 6 of Celtic’s 7 goals against Partick Thistle, but appearances became rarer and he played in his final first team game against Aberdeen on 29th April 1974.

After 41 appearances and one goal he was released by the club in December 1974. He went on to briefly play for Sheffield Wednesday and Hamilton.

Overall, he had it hard as having a legendary footballer in the family (his grandfather) meant he had a lot to live up to as comparisons are unfairly inevitable. Nevertheless, Jimmy Quinn worked hard and made the best of what his opportunities, and got to play for Celtic in a golden era for the club.

He died prematurely in middle age but was never forgotten, with many well-known faces arriving to pay their respects on his last journey, including Billy McNeill (his old captain), Davie Hay and George Connelly.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1963-74 27 3 1 1 41
Goals: 1 0 0 0 1

Honours with Celtic

(Honours below are for those campaigns in which the player has played in at least one match in the campaign)

Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup

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