Ian’ s haunted by losing a goal to Danny Mcgrain
Football can be very cruel to goalkeepers. Even the really famous ones can’t escape being on the end of a thumping. Barcelona’s German international, Marc-andre ter Stegen lost eight goals against Bayern Munich in his last game of the season. The 28-year-old was probably happy there wasn’t another match to play.
He went off for a knee operation – not, as some critics claimed, treatment on his back after picking the ball out of the net so often. Former Dumbarton goalie, Ian Mcgregor, didn’t get the option of taking a break on this day 45 years ago when he was beaten eight times. The Sons entertained Celtic in the League Cup on August 23, 1975. Unfortunately for them, Jock Stein’s men were determined to boost their goal average to make sure they qualified from a section that also included Hearts and Aberdeen.
The game was delayed by 15 minutes to let the 14,000 fans squeeze into Boghead.
Mcgregor was a late call-up to the Sons side. He admits the game was a painful experience and one goal hurts more than most. He recalled: “Regular goalkeeper, Lawrie Williams, had hurt his hand playing against Aberdeen in midweek.
“That meant I got a late call-up.
“The team had a few problems, and three of us were playing our first game of the season.
“It was only 2-0 to Celtic at half-time – but then the goals started coming.
“I recall the manager saying I might have done better at the fifth, but I didn’t really have much chance with the rest.
“After the match, I was told the reserves had been beaten 7-0 by Celtic, so it wouldn’t have been any easier for me if I hadn’t made the first-team.
“It took me a while to get over that defeat. I’m just about there but I don’t think I’ll ever get over conceding a goal to Danny Mcgrain because him hitting the net was such a rarity.”
Ian’s right. The full-back only scored nine times in 679 appearances for the Hoops.
It got a bit better for the young goalie the following week, but not much better.
He said: “I played against Hearts and we lost 6-2.
“Conceding 14 goals in two matches was difficult to take. I can’t say I enjoyed it.” He only played one more game Dumbarton, but it was an important one.
A Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle at Firhill ended 0-0 and the Sons won a replay.
They then went on to reach the semi-final of the competition.
Ian said: “That game against Thistle was the first time I played alongside Walter Smith.
“Lawrie Williams had pulled out with flu, and I was given the call.
“I had flu as well, but I managed to play. That was a good day.”
It’s important not to dwell too much on the bad results. Ian had many good performances. He said: “My favourite game is probably my debut at Arboath in 1974.
“We won 3-0 and I had just gone from Junior football to playing in Scotland’s top flight.
“Willie Wallace scored two goals that day and he was the one that recommended me.
“I had been playing for Kilsyth Rangers and the coach, Jim Whyte, knew Willie.
“I played a trial and Davie Wilson, who was in charge of the reserves, decided to sign me. “Celtic were the opposition in my second game and I went on a run of about 15 games. “It meant I was playing against some of the best players in Europe.”
Ian, now 67, played a few games for Stenhousemuir before returning to the juniors in 1978.
He has fond memories of playing against Johannes Edvaldsson in Iceland prior to the defender joining Celtic.
Ian was representing Anniesland College – managed by Davie Moyes’ dad.
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