Bernard “Barney” Battles, Snr

Barney was born in Springburn, Glasgow, but his Irish parents moved around Scotland throughout his childhood.

He played for junior teams Bathgate, and Linlithgow, whilst working in a pit, before joining Heart of Midlothian in 1894. The following season he joined Celtic, where he stayed until 1904.

During this period he was on a short-term contract with Liverpool, where he made two appearances in 1896. He joined Dundee 1897-98, before returning to Liverpool, again on a short-term contract, and making one appearance in 1989.

He impressed the Dundee support when he played with a broken wrist and his arm in a sling. In November. Battles, was suspended, for a fortnight by the clubs committee, as he wasn’t complying with the clubs training requirements.

A return to Celtic was swiftly on the cards, and he was at Celtic Park until 1904. He finished his career with Kilmarnock at the end of 1904-05. He is still revered by Celtic supporters as a club legend

Barney caught influenza, and succumbed to pneumonia in February 1905 at the age of 29, and is buried in Dalbeath Cemetery, Glasgow.

He made three international appearances, two for the Scottish League X1, both ending in draws in 1901, and a full cap, which Scotland won 11-0 against Northern Ireland in the Home Championships in 1901.

His son Barney Battles, Jnr, was also a footballer.