FORMER Celtic fans’ favourite Tommy Callaghan has passed away at the age of 78.
The hard-working midfielder became one of Jock Stein’s first signings for the Hoops when he joined from Dunfermline in November 1968 in a £35,000 deal, the club’s highest-ever transfer outlay at the time.
In fact, it was the second time the legendary manager had signed Callaghan after he took him to the Fifers in 1962.
The player was nicknamed Tid by his team-mates which took some explaining. It came from tiddler as his elder brother Willie, his senior by three years, had already made the breakthrough at East End Park as a reliable right-back before his sibling joined him in the top side.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Tommy Callaghan signs the forms that make him a Celtic player with Jock Stein and Dunfermline boss George Farm looking on.
A club statement read: “Everyone at Celtic Park was saddened to hear that former player, Tommy Callaghan passed away early this morning.
“Tommy made an immediate impact on his debut by scoring against Partick Thistle at Firhill.
“That was the first of 34 goals in 264 games he played for Celtic between then and joining Clydebank in 1976.
“Over Tommy’s time in the Hoops, Celtic lifted six titles, five Scottish Cups and three League Cups.
“His heart was always at Celtic Park and he was still a regular at every game as a matchday host.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Tommy’s friends and family at this sad time.”
