Playing for the Hoops: the George McCluskey story

How did George McCluskey become a true Celtic legend? What binds the fans and players and creates this strong sense of belonging? And what does the Irish diaspora have to do with the club?

George McCluskey ranks alongside Kenny Dalglish, Tommy Burns, Johnny Doyle and Paul McStay in a generation of Celtic greats. Aidan Donaldson’s biography is the first definitive account of McCluskey’s hugely successful professional career over two decades as a striker.

Playing in the Hoops for eight years, George scored 54 goals in this time. He also changed the entire game in favour of Celtic over and over again. Later going on to play for Hibernian - as well as Leeds, Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Clyde - he was the injured party in one of the most scandalous tackles in football history.

A truly Celtic minded man and player, George McCluskey embodies the Celtic spirit.
In football biographies the reader often only sees the player and not the real person. I was extremely fortunate to play football for the club I supported my entire life… Coming from a Celtic-minded family and community it has been an absolute privilege to have played for Celtic on so many occasions and to have shared in their joy, hopes and dreams - as well as in their disappointments.

FROM THE INTRODUCTION BY GEORGE McCLUSKEY

Everyone who loves Celtic and the beautiful game will love this book..

Dr Aidan Donaldson is a leading academic, commentator, social justice worker and Celtic supporter. He has published widely on a range of subjects including philosophy, education and social justice, as well as on culture and identity in Ireland and Scotland. He is a human rights activist and a representative for the Catholic Church on numerous bodies in Ireland. As co-ordinator of the radical justice group, Project Zambia, he has visited Africa on numerous occasions helping to establish links with the missions among the victims of poverty and injustice including street children, orphans and those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Aidan recently left his post as chaplain and teacher at St Mary's Christian Brothers Grammar School to establish a volunteering centre for social justice and advocacy in Belfast to work with the homeless, migrants and other vulnerable groups. He is founder and current chairperson of An Brathair Walfrid CSC and lives in Belfast. In 2016 Aidan Donaldson won the prestigious The Tablet's 175th Anniversary Award for his writing on Catholic Social Teachings.