Dream come true for Galloway: Mike joins Celtic in a surprise £500,000 transfer

Jim Reynolds

16 Jun 1989

CELTIC yesterday unveiled one of the best kept Scottish footballing secrets of the year when manager Billy McNeill ushered a red-haired young man into the Parkhead boardroom and asked the gathering: "I don't have to introduce him to you, do I?"

Mike Galloway, who turned 24 just two weeks ago, was the cause of all the interest.

Following speculation as to who would be the Scottish Cup holders' next signing -- Leeds United's John Sheridan and Leicester's Gary McAllister were the most prominent names -- McNeill slipped quietly along the M8 and persuaded Hearts to part with their star midfield man for £500,000.

The signing completed a remarkable year for Galloway, who joined Hearts from Halifax Town for just £60,000 18 months ago.

He was instrumental in taking Hearts to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup by scoring five goals in that campaign; he gained an under-21 cap for Scotland against France at Tannadice; and he gained senior recognition when he was included in the full squad for the World Cup qualifying tie against Cyprus in February.

Signing for Celtic yesterday, on a four-year contract, was another indication that his star is in the ascendancy.

"I'm delighted that Mike has decided to join us, because he is a player I have wanted for some time," said McNeill.

"I'm also delighted that Hearts handled the whole thing properly, just as we did.

Nobody knew this was in the wind and even the player was only called into things yesterday afternoon.

"Mike will add strength, purpose, and aggression to our squad.

He is at a stage where his career is ready to really blossom, and I feel this is the perfect platform for him.

I know Hearts have been using him as a forward with success, but I see him essentially as a midfield player and that is where we will be fielding him."

McNeill then announced that Galloway's first competitive game will be against .

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Hearts at Tynecastle on the opening day of the new season.

"No doubt, I'll get a rollicking from the Hearts fans," said Galloway.

"But it is only to be expected, and I might as well get it over with.

Anyway, that sort of thing doesn't bother me and neither does the big transfer fee.

It isn't me who is saying I'm worth that kind of money, but it is now up to me to do my best and justify Celtic's faith."

Galloway, who was born in Oswestry on the English-Welsh border, says he has now fulfilled one ambition by signing for Celtic and has set his sights on another -- a place in Scotland's squad for the World Cup finals in Italy next year.

He said: "My dad was stationed with the Army in Edinburgh and Berwick and he always had a soft spot for Celtic.

As a lad I dreamed about playing for them and Scotland."

As for Galloway's second ambition, Celtic manager McNeill said: "I happen to be one of those people who think that Scotland are certainties to qualify for the World Cup finals, and I would like to think Mike will develop even further as a player to become involved with the squad.

He certainly has the ability."

Galloway, who was having a short break with his wife in Pitlochry when he was told that Celtic wanted him, then paid tribute to the men who gave him his big break after spells with Mansfield and Halifax.

"I can't thank Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine enough for giving me the chance to show what I could do in the higher class of the premier division.

I had a great time during my time at Tynecastle, but although I had another 18 months of my contract to run, I just couldn't pass up the chance of joining Celtic.

It's the sort of move most players only dream about."

He now joins a Celtic midfield group which includes Paul McStay, Peter Grant, Tommy Burns, Billy Stark, Roy Aitken, if he is needed there, and youngsters such as Steve Fulton and Dave Elliot.

It gives McNeill options in that department and also the chance to release another £500,000 signing, Tommy Coyne, to try and establish himself up front when the new campaign gets underway.

Meanwhile, Hearts will waste no time in going into the buyers' market.

Tynecastle chairman, Wallace Mercer, revealed that within a few weeks a full Yugoslavian internationalist will sign for the club and that two other players are positive targets for manager Alex MacDonald.

Mercer also revealed that in the Galloway dealings he had broken a golden rule he had laid down some time ago.

"I indicated that I would never sell to a club in direct opposition," said Mercer, "but I felt this deal was particularly good for us and the player.

To reject it would have been wrong for both parties.

"Although we said our staff would be pruned during the close season, Mike Galloway was not one of those we had in mind.

Indeed, we were close to concluding talks on a new contract."

Taken from the Herald