Obituary: Ex-Celtic star McGarvey was the most courageous of strikers

JOHN McGARRY: Frank McGarvey was the most courageous of strikers whose work rate made him a fans’ favourite at Celtic and St Mirren… he showed the bravery that empitomised him as a player until the end

• John McGarry recalls the skills and bravery of a Celtic and St Mirren great 
• Scotland’s Frank McGarvey died aged 66 after a battle with pancreatic cancer
• McGarvey learned his skills on Glasgow’s streets before winning over club fans

Frank McGarvey’s skills were honed on the streets of Glasgow at a time when the city’s housing schemes seemed to effortlessly churn out footballers of prodigious talent.

Raised in Easterhouse in the 1960s, his ability alone may have allowed him to carve out a stellar career in the professional game.

But it was his courage, determination and work-rate that ensured his somewhat unorthodox playing style was given the wider audience it deserved.

Frank McGarvey, former Celtic and St Mirren player, died aged 66 from pancreatic cancer

Formerly of Kilsyth Rangers, McGarvey played his first senior game in 1975 for St Mirren as a teenager and was still giving his all for Troon at the age of 40.

The connection he enjoyed with every team he played for throughout a storied journey said everything for his unstinting commitment in each of his 500-plus matches.

McGarvey, who died yesterday aged 66 after a short illness, was a fans’ favourite but not always the apple of every manager’s eye.

Despite helping Alex Ferguson win his first trophy as a manager — the 1976-77 First Division title with St Mirren — the pair had a difficult relationship. McGarvey’s decision to sign for Celtic rather than Ferguson’s Aberdeen from Liverpool in 1980 was never going to make the peace.

David Hay’s appreciation of the forward’s ability never felt as strong as the supporters who recognised one of their own living out a boyhood dream at Parkhead.

McGarvey worked his way up from learning skills on the street to being a favourite with fans

McGarvey’s header secured Celtic a dramatic 2-1 victory over Dundee United in the 1985 Scottish Cup final but it was to be his last act before re-joining St Mirren.

He was sore at the manner of the departure but typically got on with the job at hand. Two years later, he was part of the Buddies side who defeated Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final under Alex Smith.

A brilliant dribbler who was brave and deceptively strong on the ball, the teenage McGarvey was one of the hottest properties in Scottish football.

In 1979, his exploits with St Mirren saw Liverpool, then the English champions, pay £300,000 for his signature. McGarvey had hoped to follow in the footsteps of Kenny Dalglish, who had moved from Celtic two years previously, but he endured nothing but frustration on Merseyside.

Stuck in the reserves and in a flat on his own in Formby, he wasn’t the only player around that time to discover that it would be easier to split the atom than break into Bob Paisley’s magnificent side.

McGarvey, with fellow goalscorer Davie Provan, after winning the Scottish FA Cup with Celtic

The Liverpool manager told McGarvey to be patient, but he already had his heart set on returning to Scotland having failed to play a single game. The Anfield giants reluctantly agreed to cut their losses and accept £250,000.

He met with Ferguson who tempted him with the promise that the good times were about to roll at Pittodrie.

But, while McGarvey’s head said Pittodrie, his heart lay at Celtic Park with his decision made after a meeting with the man who had preceded Fergie in the Granite City.

‘If it hadn’t been for Billy McNeill, there is every likelihood I would not have signed for the club that had always been nearest to my heart,’ he later reflected.

‘That wonderful man always had the ability to make me feel ten feet tall.’

McGarvey said his heart lay with Celtic Park, despite opportunities to join rivals Aberdeen

McGarvey made his debut for his boyhood heroes the day after signing in March 1980 in a 2-2 draw with St Mirren. His first goal arrived later that month at home against a Hibs side featuring George Best.

Four days later, he endeared himself to the support when he scored a late winner against Rangers at Celtic Park.

A late collapse in Celtic’s form that season allowed Aberdeen to take the title but McGarvey starred in the Hampden victory over Rangers that became known as the ‘Riot Cup Final’.

He won the title in his first two full seasons, ending 1980-81 as the club’s top scorer with 29 goals ahead of Charlie Nicholas and George McCluskey.

A broken leg sustained at Tannadice in March 1982 curtailed his involvement the following term although he still managed 15 goals and contributed 26 in 1982-83 as Celtic were pipped at the post by Dundee United.

McGarvey (right) also played for St Mirren in a professional career spanning 20 years

McGarvey was initially injured when Hay took charge following McNeill’s acrimonious departure that summer, but he made his mark upon his return by netting against Aarhus and Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup and twice in wins over Rangers.

Despite Hay signing Alan McInally and Mo Johnston, McGarvey still managed 40 goals across his final two seasons even though opportunities were becoming limited.

The last of those, a spectacular diving header to convert Roy Aitken’s cross at Hampden, ensured Celtic came from behind to win the 100th Scottish Cup.

‘I always felt I was unfairly treated by him (Hay),’ he stated. ‘Although I played well for him, he wanted his own players. I was 29 and wanted to spend the rest of my days at Celtic, but he sold me on, even though the cup final goal made his job a lot safer.’

His five years at Celtic Park would be measured through 113 goals, two league titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup, and also by the fact that Nicholas, McCluskey and Brian McClair were all top scorers in the league while partnering him.

Former Scotland footballer McGarvey (left) passed away at the age of 66 after a cancer battle

This spoke to McGarvey’s unselfishness — a rare attribute in a striker.

His contribution was recognised when he returned the following October with St Mirren, with the Jungle chanting his name throughout the 90 minutes. His second stint at St Mirren ensured he assumed legendary status at two rival clubs.

His late goal settled a tense semi-final against Hearts in 1987 that took Smith’s team towards their date with destiny.

He spent five years with the Buddies second time around before taking on a player-manager role at Queen of the South.

From there, he won a Second Division title with Clyde at the age of 37 before continuing his love affair with the game with Junior sides Shotts Bon Accord and Troon.

McGarvey, pictured here with his daughter Jennifer, won just seven caps across five years

It’s indicative of the strength of the national team that McGarvey won only seven caps between 1979 and 1984.

The fact he had to earn a living as a joiner after hanging up the boots is a sign of how much the game has changed.

Rarely has a book title been more apt than Totally Frank, his 2008 autobiography which detailed the depth of his gambling addiction.

He lost everything he had — his home and his marriage, and contemplated suicide after ending up in ‘a dump of a rented flat with only a mattress for a bed’.

McGarvey had to earn a living as a joiner alongside his playing days, and then lost everything

He eventually succeeded in controlling his demons and ran his own flooring company.

Last year, having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the father-of-four was made guest of honour at a Celtic match and took the acclaim of the supporters at half-time.

Illness had taken its toll but the courage that had epitomised him as a player was still conspicuous.

‘Just to say to the Celtic fans, that I love them very much and I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me,’ he said.

The feeling was mutual.

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