The ACSOM Live ‘Evening with…’ series continues on Saturday 25th March when the legend that is Daniel Fergus McGrain joins Paul John Dykes on stage at Grace’s for what is guaranteed to be a night of full of laughter and fascinating tales.
Daniel Fergus McGrain is a bone-fide club legend at Celtic Park, and one of the few names in world football that almost demands to be announced in full every time.
A graduate of the famous Quality Street Gang, that included the likes of Kenny Dalglish, George Connelly, and Davie Hay, McGrain went on to feature in over 650 first team games for Celtic in a trophy laden 17-year playing career at the club.
However, were it not for a decidedly bigoted anti-Catholic signing policy in place in the blue side of Glasgow that stopped Rangers from pursuing any interest in McGrain, history may have looked a whole lot different. The irony that the Catholic/Irish sounding Daniel Fergus McGrain was neither Catholic nor Irish is not lost on those with a Celtic State of Mind.
Rangers loss, Celtic’s gain.
In his 657 appearances for Celtic, McGrain would go on to win 7 League titles, 5 Scottish Cups, and 2 League Cups. He captained the side from the 1977/78 season through to his departure at the end of the 86/87 campaign, and was widely regarded as one of the world’s best fullbacks throughout the 1970’s.
However, McGrain’s career was far from plain sailing. In March 1972 he suffered a fractured skull in a game against Falkirk at Brockville. Upon his recovery, he faced the task of replacing Lisbon Lion Jim Craig as the clubs first choice right-back.
After the 1974 World Cup, McGrain was diagnosed with diabetes and faced this latest setback in the only way he knew how; head on and with the determination to not allow his condition to adversely affect his football.
A mysterious ankle injury robbed McGrain of most of the 1977/78 season but he would return the next season to lead Celtic to the title.
In 2002, Daniel Fergus McGrain was voted as Celtic’s Greatest Ever right-back, ahead of Jim Craig, the Lisbon Lion he replaced in the team 30 years previously.
And aside from his marvellous playing career, who can forget Brendan Rodgers made up “So long as I’m here, you’re here” anecdote. That Danny never called Rodgers out on this at the time is a measure of the man he is.
Daniel Fergus McGrain will appear live on stage at Grace’s with Paul John Dykes on 25th March, 2023. The event is sold out and promises to entertain.
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