Murdo MacLeod explained

Murdo MacLeod
Fullname:Murdo Davidson MacLeod
Birth Date:24 September 1958
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Glasgow Amateurs
Years1:1975–1978
Caps1:90
Goals1:9
Clubs1:Dumbarton
Years2:1978–1987
Caps2:281
Goals2:55
Clubs2:Celtic
Years3:1987–1990
Caps3:103
Goals3:4
Clubs3:Borussia Dortmund
Years4:1990–1993
Caps4:78
Goals4:2
Clubs4:Hibernian
Years5:1993–1995
Caps5:66
Goals5:1
Clubs5:Dumbarton
Years6:1995–1997
Caps6:1
Goals6:0
Clubs6:Partick Thistle
Totalcaps:619
Totalgoals:71
Nationalyears1:1978
Nationalteam1:Scottish League XI
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1985–1991
Nationalteam2:Scotland
Nationalcaps2:20
Nationalgoals2:1
Manageryears1:1993–1995
Managerclubs1:Dumbarton
Manageryears2:1995–1997
Managerclubs2:Partick Thistle

Murdo Davidson MacLeod[1] (born 24 September 1958 in Glasgow) is a Scottish former professional football player and manager. MacLeod, who played as a midfielder, made 20 appearances for Scotland and played in the 1990 World Cup Finals. He had a successful club career, mainly with Dumbarton, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and Hibernian. He then became a manager during the mid-1990s, serving both Dumbarton and Partick Thistle. MacLeod then returned to Celtic as assistant manager, enjoying a successful season in tandem with Wim Jansen. Since leaving Celtic as a result of Jansen's departure from Celtic Park in 1998, MacLeod has worked as a football pundit for newspapers, radio and television.

Playing career

MacLeod made his name with Dumbarton in the mid-1970s. He earned selection by the Scottish League in 1978, playing in a 1–1 draw against the Italian League.[2] MacLeod moved to Celtic later that year for a £100,000 transfer fee.[3] During his nine years at Celtic Park, MacLeod won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup. MacLeod scored a goal that helped Celtic win the league championship in 1979, in a decisive match against Rangers. In 2000, Celtic supporters voted that it was the greatest ever goal scored in an Old Firm derby game.

MacLeod rejected a contract offer from Celtic in May 1987[4] and moved to German club Borussia Dortmund a month later.[5] MacLeod played in 103 Bundesliga games during four years at the Westfalenstadion. He won the German Cup and Super Cup in 1989.[6] [7] He returned to Scotland with Hibernian, where he captained the club to a victory in the 1991 Scottish League Cup Final.

MacLeod had to wait until late in his career before becoming a Scotland regular. He made his debut appearance as a substitute against England in the 1985 Rous Cup. He made his first starting appearance for Scotland in October 1986, aged 28.[8] MacLeod went on to win a total of 20 caps, playing in the 1990 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Coaching career

After a successful playing career, he returned to Dumbarton as player-coach. He guided the club to promotion from the Second Division with a last day win over Stirling Albion in 1995. In the summer of 1995, MacLeod left the Sons to manage Premier Division club Partick Thistle. MacLeod's tenure at Firhill was unsuccessful, as the club were relegated at the end of the 1995–96 season. He re-joined Celtic as assistant coach under Wim Jansen, where he helped the club win a league and Scottish League Cup double in 1997–98, their only season in charge.

Media work

MacLeod has written for the Daily Record and commentated on football for BBC Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland. MacLeod has also worked as a Scottish football analyst on Newstalk radio in Ireland. In 2012, he starred on the CBeebies show "My Story" with his grandsons, Murdo Jr. and Ross.[9]

Personal life

MacLeod was admitted to Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank during January 2010 to have a heart operation.[10]

MacLeod endorsed the Conservative Party in the 2010 General Election, campaigning for their candidate in the Argyll & Bute constituency.[11] During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum he was a supporter of the Better Together campaign against Scottish independence.[12]

Honours

Player

Celtic

Borussia Dortmund

Hibernian

Scotland

Manager

Dumbarton

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Murdo MacLeod . London Hearts . 26 May 2012.
  2. News: Murdo MacLeod. Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. 12 December 2011.
  3. News: MacLeod refuses to re-sign for Celtic . Ian . Paul . The Herald . Herald & Times Group . 6 May 1983 . 7 October 2012.
  4. News: MacLeod joins list of Parkhead rebels . Jim . Reynolds . The Herald . Herald & Times Group . 14 May 1987 . 7 October 2012.
  5. News: Johnston opts to sign for Nantes . Jim . Reynolds . The Herald . Herald & Times Group . 15 June 1987 . 7 October 2012.
  6. Web site: DFB-Pokal, 1988/1989, Finale . 10 May 2014 . dfb.de . 9 November 2020.
  7. Web site: Deutscher Supercup, 1989, Finale . 16 October 2014 . dfb.de . 9 November 2020.
  8. News: MacLeod finally earns his Scotland place . Jim . Reynolds . The Herald . Herald & Times Group . 15 October 1986 . 7 October 2012.
  9. News: Scotland legend Murdo MacLeod looks back on infamous game with Brazil that left him dazed . Steve . Hendry . 23 September 2012 . 4 November 2012 . Daily Record .
  10. Web site: Ex-Celt Murdo MacLeod makes progress from heart surgery . . 21 January 2010 . 26 May 2012.
  11. Web site: Ex-Scotland footballer Murdo MacLeod backs Tories . . 3 May 2010 . 4 May 2010.
  12. Web site: Independence referendum: Football legends unite to back Better Together campaign – Daily Record . Torcuil Crichton . dailyrecord . 8 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140906203231/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/independence-referendum-football-legends-unite-4173636 . 6 September 2014 .
  13. Web site: DFB-Supercup 1989 . DFB . 21 November 2023 . de .
  14. Web site: Rous-ing win for makeshift Scots . 15 . . 27 May 1985 . Google News Archive .