Mick McCarthy arrived at Celtic in the summer of 1987 in a surprising £500,000 transfer from Manchester City. Davie Hay had pushed hard for defensive reinforcements and finally secured McCarthy—only to be sacked by the Celtic board days later, a cruel twist given how long he had waited for backing.
McCarthy’s fortunes improved when club legend Billy McNeill returned as manager. McNeill had originally taken McCarthy to Manchester City from Barnsley in 1983 and immediately recognised that his power and aggression were exactly what Celtic’s fragile defence needed.
Included in Celtic’s 1987 Scandinavian pre-season tour, McCarthy tore a stomach muscle in the first match and was sidelined for around ten weeks. He eventually debuted in the away leg of the UEFA Cup tie against Borussia Dortmund, a 2–0 defeat. Despite limitations in pure technical ability, he quickly formed an effective partnership with Derek Whyte and brought much-needed grit, aerial strength, and resilience to the backline.
In the club’s Centenary Season, McCarthy’s contribution to the league and Scottish Cup double might not have been glamorous but it was vital, helping transform the infamous “sieve” defence into a far more reliable unit. He did, however, pick up two red cards—one at Tynecastle in November 1987 and another for landing a clean right hook on Falkirk’s towering striker Crawford Baptie in March 1988.
McCarthy’s character was perhaps best illustrated before the 1988 Scottish Cup Final. Celtic won 2–1, but Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s presence caused outrage. Players were encouraged by the SFA to greet her, but several refused—including McCarthy, who, as the son of a Barnsley miner, viewed shaking her hand as impossible in principle.
That summer he joined Packie Bonner and Chris Morris in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro ’88, playing particularly well in the historic 1–0 win over England. He would later feature prominently in Ireland’s run to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
McCarthy never quite recaptured his debut-season form at Celtic. He did win another Scottish Cup medal in 1989 after a 1–0 victory over a Rangers side chasing the treble. In the punishing heat of the final’s closing stages, he and Whyte were Celtic’s standout performers. McCarthy also scored his only Celtic goal in the 3–1 semi-final win over Hibs.
However, Celtic’s overall performances deteriorated sharply. The defence once again became chaotic and porous. Although McCarthy produced some solid displays, his lack of pace and unreliable distribution were increasingly exposed. The broader failings of the team meant he was far from solely responsible.
When at his best, McCarthy was a tough, commanding defender and a key figure for Jack Charlton’s well-drilled Ireland team, though some critics felt he never looked as strong in Celtic colours.
In 1989 McCarthy moved to Lyon for £350,000. Persistent injuries and concern for his place in Ireland’s World Cup squad led to a loan move to Millwall, who later signed him permanently. He became their manager in 1992, and in 1996 succeeded Jack Charlton as Republic of Ireland manager—his tenure featuring notable highs and lows, including his infamous clash with captain Roy Keane. He later managed Sunderland and Wolves.
McCarthy was occasionally mentioned as a quiet contender for the Celtic manager’s job after the departures of Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, but he was never seriously considered by the board or supporters. Ironically, in 2018 he succeeded O’Neill again—this time as Ireland boss for a second spell, with Roy Keane also departing as O’Neill’s assistant.
Although not widely regarded as a Celtic great, Mick McCarthy is remembered as an important figure in the Centenary season and remains highly respected among the support. His time at the club earned him real appreciation, and he is still proudly considered one of our own.
