Alec McNair

Alexander McNair (24 December 1882 – 18 November 1951) was a Scottish football player and manager. He played as a defender for Celtic for 21 years and represented the Scotland national team in 15 official internationals between 1906 and 1920. McNair also represented the Scottish League XI 15 times. He then managed Dundee from 1925 until 1927.

Stenhousemuir McNair began his career at Stenhousemuir. He played at inside right and was a regular goalscorer, helping the club win the Scottish Qualifying Cup in 1901 and 1902. He also played in the Stenhousemuir team that reached the Scottish Cup semi-final in 1903, losing 4–1 to Rangers. He initially played in a variety of positions, but when right-back Donnie McLeod left in 1908, McNair made that position his own. McNair had exceptional positional sense and ability to anticipate his opponents' moves. McNair's appearances, trophy and caps totals might have been even higher had it not been for the interruption of World War I when the League continued but the Cup and internationals were suspended, considering that his success at club level and selection for Scotland continued after the conflict.

He received a benefit match in 1921, in which a combined Rangers/Celtic team played against a Scottish League team (the league also selected Celtic players John McFarlane and Tully Craig, who scored all their team's goals in a 3–1 win).

Later years McNair became manager of Dundee in June 1925. His first two seasons saw Dundee finish mid-table and then fifth. However, after a poor start to season 1927–28, he left Dens Park in October 1927. He then left full-time participation in football to become a stockbroker, but still kept some involvement in the game by working as a referee supervisor.

Honours Player Stenhousemuir Scottish Qualifying Cup: 1900–01, 1901–02

Central Combination: 1900–01, 1901–02 Stirlingshire Cup: 1901–02

Celtic Scottish League champions (12): 1904–05, 1905–06, 1906–07, 1907–08, 1908–09, 1909–10, 1913–14, 1914–15, 1915–16, 1916–17, 1918–19, 1921–22 Scottish Cup (6): 1906–07, 1907–08, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1922–23 Glasgow Cup (7): 1906–07, 1907–08, 1909–10, 1915–16, 1916–17, 1919–20, 1920–21 Glasgow Charity Cup (9): 1917–18

Scotland British Home Championship: 1905–06 (shared), 1907–08 (shared), 1909–10, 1911–12 (shared)

Manager Dundee Forfarshire Cup: 1924–25, 1925–26