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Celtic's first black player, Gil Heron, dies
Celtic's first black player Gil Heron, the Black Arrow, has died at the age of 87.
By Roddy Forsyth
Last Updated: 10:19PM GMT 30 Nov 2008
The Black Arrow: Celtic player Gil Heron Photo: HULTON ARCHIVE
Heron passed away in a nursing home in Detroit on Nov 27.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Heron played in the United States and was invited to Scotland for a public trial at Celtic Park on Aug 4, 1951, scoring twice in the game.
The club signed him and he made his debut on Aug 18, 1951 in a League Cup tie against Morton at Celtic Park. He scored once in a 2-0 victory.
Heron was at Celtic for a year, making five appearances and scoring two goals before joining Third Lanark.
He eventually returned to the United States and settled in Detroit. He was also the father of the jazz musician and composer, Gil Scott-Heron, who received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known songs The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
Celtic's first black player Gil Heron, the Black Arrow, has died at the age of 87.
By Roddy Forsyth
Last Updated: 10:19PM GMT 30 Nov 2008
The Black Arrow: Celtic player Gil Heron Photo: HULTON ARCHIVE
Heron passed away in a nursing home in Detroit on Nov 27.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Heron played in the United States and was invited to Scotland for a public trial at Celtic Park on Aug 4, 1951, scoring twice in the game.
The club signed him and he made his debut on Aug 18, 1951 in a League Cup tie against Morton at Celtic Park. He scored once in a 2-0 victory.
Heron was at Celtic for a year, making five appearances and scoring two goals before joining Third Lanark.
He eventually returned to the United States and settled in Detroit. He was also the father of the jazz musician and composer, Gil Scott-Heron, who received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known songs The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
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