David Moyes is well known as a respected football manager due to managing Preston, Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad, West Ham, and Sunderland, in a long and successful managerial career which is still going strong today…
David Moyes and Mark Reid of Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Like many top class managers, David’s playing career wasn’t the most impressive, but he got a decent start in the game as he came through the Celtic youth ranks before being introduced to the first team under the leadership of Billy McNeill.
“A future Celtic captain I’d say”
David was signed from Drumchapel Amateurs, and was a highly rated footballer, with future Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh once remarking about the young Moyes “a future Celtic captain I’d say.”
He made his debut in a 4-1 League Cup win over Hibs at Celtic Park on 15th August 1981 and a month later was introduced into the first team as a result of an injury to the legendary Danny McGrain.
David Moyes, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki
David Moyes was thrown in at the deep end
David Moyes was certainly thrown in at the deep end with immediate action against Juventus in a European cup clash in Turin, and despite the Hoops losing 2-0 to crash out the tournament 2-1 on aggregate, the Celtic youngster gave a good account of himself against the Italian giants, who had future Celtic manager Liam Brady in their side.
He would remain in the side until the return of Danny McGrain in December of the same year, but could hold his head high after performing terrifically well in the Celtic captain’s absence.
Following more injuries at Celtic, Davie returned to the side and put in an impressive performance as the Hoops beat Rangers 2-1 at Celtic Park at the start of April, a result that proved instrumental in the destination of the title, which of course was Celtic Park.
A first league winners medal for Davie Moyes
David’s performances earned him a first league winners medal that campaign, and a great future beckoned for the young Celtic right-back.
Johan Cruyff, Celtic v Ajax, European Cup, September 1982. Photo The Celtic Wiki
The following season David become a regular in the first team squad, and was involved in the home and away legs against a talented Ajax side which included Johan Cruyff in their line-up, in the European Cup, with the hoops recording a memorable 2-1 in Amsterdam to go through 4-3 on aggregate.
Henrik Larsson and Everton Manager David Moyes speak to the media prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Celtic and Juventus at Celtic Park on February 12, 2013. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A change of manager at Celtic was bad news for Davie Moyes
David Moyes by this stage was an established member of the Celtic squad, so it came as quite the surprise when he was sold to English side Cambridge in October 1983 for a fee of £20,000 following a change in manager at the club wth Billy McNeill heading to Manchester City where incidentally he once noted that the his new club couldn’t afford to buy a fish supper! Changed days indeed.
Former Celt Davie Hay replaced Caesar as Celtic manager and that turned out to be bad news for David Moyes.
David Moyes would the later say of the move:
“Davie Hay made it clear I wasn’t wanted at Celtic Park, I left Celtic when I didn’t want to. Nobody wants to leave Celtic and it’s something I sometimes regret having done.”
David Moyes, Real Sociedad manager is welcomed at the Pre Season Friendly between Celtic and Real Sociedad at St Mirren Park on July 10th, 2015. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)
David Moyes made a total of 35 appearances for Celtic, and won a title medal for his contributions in the 1981-82 league winning campaign.
As well as Cambridge United, Davie would also go on to play for Bristol City, Shrewsbury, Dunfermline, Hamilton, and Preston before retiring and embarking on a successful managerial career.
23.05.2016. Celtic Park, Celtic unveil Brendan Rodgers as the new manager. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
David Moyes was heavily linked with the Celtic job in the spring of 2016 alongside Brendan Rodgers but while he was reluctant, seeing his future in the Premier League, Brendan Rodgers was enthusiastic about the challenge and Celtic Park was opened up with around 10,000 supporter there to meet and greet the former Liverpool manager who would deliver an incredible treble winning Invincible season in his first year in charge.
23.05.2016. Celtic Park, Celtic unveil Brendan Rodgers as the new manager. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Could David Moyes finally get his change to be Celtic manager next summer?
It’s something we can discuss shortly in my next article….
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
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