About Tom McAdam
Born 1954. Tom McAdam is a British association football player.
Thomas Ian McAdam (born 9 April 1954) is a Scottish former footballer who played for a number of British clubs, spending around half of his career with Celtic. He began as a forward but was later converted to a defender, where he played for the majority of his career.
Playing career McAdam began his career as a striker with Dumbarton in the early 1970s. He joined Dundee Utd in October 1975 for a fee of £37,000 and made his debut for the club on 1 November 1975 in a home league fixture against St Johnstone, scoring twice in a 3–1 win. Over the next two years, McAdam scored 24 goals in 74 appearances. He initially struggled to hold down a regular place in the team, and was often on the substitutes bench. Stein's successor as manager, Billy McNeill, played McAdam in central defence in the final league match of season 1978–79, against Rangers; McAdam played well and helped Celtic win 4–2 to clinch the league title. and a League Cup in his time at Parkhead.
McAdam then had short spells at Stockport County and Hamilton Accies, before signing for Motherwell. He spent three years at Fir Park before moving to Airdrie in November 1989, where he finished his playing career.
After retirement, McAdam returned to Celtic for a spell during the 1990s as reserve coach.
McAdam's elder brother Colin was also a professional footballer, who played for Celtic's biggest rivals Rangers at the same time as Tom was with Celtic; they played against each other in Old Firm matches eight times. They both started at Dumbarton and played there alongside each other, and both later signed for Motherwell but at different times.
Honours Celtic Scottish League Champions (3): 1978–79, 1980–81, 1981–82 Scottish Cup: 1984–85 Scottish League Cup: 1982–83
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Important facts
People in Tom McAdam's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Tom McAdam's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Tom McAdam?
footballer (born 1954)
When was Tom McAdam born?
Tom McAdam was born on 9 April 1954 in Glasgow.
What is Tom McAdam's occupation?
Tom McAdam is an association football player.
What nationality is Tom McAdam?
Tom McAdam is British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tom McAdam. https://biography.guide/tom-mcadam/
MLA: "Tom McAdam." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tom-mcadam/.
Chicago: "Tom McAdam." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tom-mcadam/.
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