Allen McKnight’s Memorable Matches in Celtic’s Centenary Fairytale

The Antrim born goalkeeper signed for the club in 1986 from Distillery, joining fellow countryman Anton Rogan who had signed not long before, and was seen as nothing more than a potential talent due to Pat Bonner being the undisputed man in possession of the gloves.

With veteran Peter Latchford also still on the books, it meant that the Northern Irishman was sent out on an immediate loan spell with Coatbridge being his destination, spending the entire 1986/87 campaign with Albion Rovers.

Allen would return for the 1987/88 campaign more familiar with the Scottish game after a year of rough and tumble in the lower leagues, and with the departure of the retiring Peter Latchford, the Irishman would instantly be promoted as back up to Pat Bonner.

Season 1987/88 was a significant year in Celtic’s history, as it was the centenary of our founding, and Allen would get to play his role in what would be a dramatic, action packed and ultimately magical campaign. David Potter’s final Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties covers this season brilliantly.

Another highlight for Allen was that he got to represent his country for the first ever time. Although with the politics involved with that part of the world, and with Allen not hailing from what you would describe as a ‘Celtic’ background, he sadly endured a lot of grief from his own ‘supporters’ playing for Northern Ireland.

Allen would make 12 league appearances for Celtic in that season due to an injury sustained by Pat Bonner, including keeping goal in three Glasgow derbies, in which he had an undefeated record in all with a record of two wins and a draw. Those games being a 2-0 at Celtic Park, with a 2-0 win and 2-2 draw at Ibrox. Points that went a huge way in determining the destination of the title.

Allen would step aside amid the return of Pat Bonner as the Hoops clinched the title, but having played the required amount of games, Allen deservedly received a medal for his efforts.

That wasn’t the end of Allen’s story in that ever so special campaign, as Pat Bonner unfortunately pulled up injured once again shortly before the Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United at Hampden, and Allen was once again handed the task of helping Celtic secure a dream double in the club’s centenary year.

Despite it looking like we would be facing huge disappointment for much of the game, Frank McAvennie popped up with a dramatic late double to seal one of the most successful and iconic moments in the history of Celtic football club.

That was good as it got for Allen McKnight and he was soon on his way out of the club, later joining West Ham, before becoming something of a career journeyman, as his career took him up and down the country, including a short spell back in Scotland with Airdrie.

Despite not hitting the career heights he wanted, Allen did get that opportunity to play a big part in the fairytale campaign that was Celtic’s in season 1987/88. One that will always be remembered and one that Allen McKnight played a significant part.