[LF/RF] Hughie Smith (1913)

by **Admin** Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:57 am

About
Fullname: Hugh Smith
aka: Hughie Smith
Born: c1913
Died: [...]
Birthplace: Port Glasgow, Scotland
Signed: 17 May 1930
Left: 6 June 1934 (free); 15 June 1937 (Ayr Utd)
Position: Inside Forward
Debut: Celtic 6-0 Hibernian, League, 23 Aug 1930
Internationals: none

Style of Play
Hughie Smith was an inside-forward who was signed by the Bhoys from Port Glasgow Juniors in May 1930, with one commentator remarking that he was "going to be one of the best captures that Celtic ever made...". It wasn't to be.

Hughie made his competitive debut for the Hoops in a 6-0 trouncing of Hibs in the league at Parkhead on August 23rd. He made an instant impact on the Parkhead support with a debut goal. However, he wasn't given another appearance again for the First XI till the end of the season.

Thereafter he was given limited runs in the first team. He managed his second goal in the 4-1 win over Motherwell in the league in Oct 1932.

He played in the Glasgo Charity Cup final defeat in May 1932, a 2-1 loss to Third Lanark.

A typically tricky wee Scottish forward, Smith loved to dribble the ball and try fancy flicks. He was also deceptively quick and was an accurate passer of the ball.

His main failing though was a lack of strength and in the robust world of Scottish football in the 1930s, Hughie was too easily knocked off the ball. Also Celtic were ailing during much of this period, and a decline had already begun.