Billy Murdoch

William Hart McDonald Murdoch (born 21 April 1949) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played across the country's three senior divisions for Stenhousemuir and Kilmarnock. His older brother is the late Bobby Murdoch, also a footballer and one of Celtic's most decorated players.

Career Celtic A wing half (midfielder), Murdoch – known as Billy or sometimes as Willie – began his football career as a youth at Drumchapel Amateurs, where he was spotted by Celtic in 1967. He spent his first season out on loan at Kilsyth Rangers (who had also shown an interest in signing him) and whilst on assignment was selected for the Scotland Junior international team for a match against Wales in 1968, scoring a penalty.

Murdoch was a peripheral member of the Quality Street Gang, the club's promising reserve squad of the late 1960s. Although some of his contemporaries such as Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay and Danny McGrain became star players, Murdoch never made a first-team appearance - Celtic were not only dominant in Scotland but one of the best sides in Europe during that period and he was in competition for a place with various Scottish internationals and European Cup winners, including his brother. After two years of part-time training and infrequent reserve matches while also learning a trade as a glazier, Murdoch left Celtic at his own request in 1970 and signed for Bristol City.

Kilmarnock Murdoch moved to Kilmarnock in 1976 for a fee of £10,000 He played in a total of 78 games for Killie and scored 4 goals.

Return to Ochilview In 1979 Murdoch left Kilmarnock and returned to Stenhousemuir to see out his senior career. In total he made 161 league appearances for the club over his two spells. He also spent a spell back in the Junior grade with Cumbernauld United.

Personal life Murdoch was raised in Rutherglen and attended St Columbkilles School. In 2016, he was one of the guests present at a ceremony at Rutherglen Town Hall for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating his brother Bobby's achievements.

A third Murdoch brother, James Jimmy, was also on Celtic's books as a youth (signed from Glasgow Amateurs) before moving to Cardiff City, and also played for Cumbernauld.