best defender to play for the hoops?

alright folks... just wondering ure thoughts on this one

I know weve had some quality defenders over the years, from the lions to the current squad. But just wondered who ud rate as our best ever defender?

 

danny mcgrain/ ceaser

 

Marc Reiper and I would say the Reiper-Stubbs partnership was our best in post-Stein times.

People will say Mjallby-Bobo-Valgaeren. However, Mjallby was poor for his first 2 or 3 seasons, Bobo was limited nad Valgaeran was really poor for his last 2 seasons. I also think a back 3 can hide weaknesses. They didnt look so good once we went to a back 4.

 

Still no mention of Gary Gillespie? Shame on you all...:icon_mrgreen:

On a serious note, I'm with Ronven. Danny McGrain was genuinely top class.

 

McGrain ,Hay McNeil ,Connolly ,Reiper,Mjallby etc.

 

Although to be fair, anyone would be judged as a poor defender during the era they played as a central midfielder . Mjallby was primarily used as a holding player pre-O'Neill, who didn't really use him until he stuck him at centre half and found that it worked.

It's difficult to judge defenders I think. But, I'll go with Daniel Fergus McGrain.

 

Johan Mjallby

 

so what is the answer to the question:icon_mrgreen:

 

Thought big paul elliot was * tremendous

 

good shout but.not in same league as mcgrain mcneil

 

You are right ,i added them in as later versions ,but they couldnt lace McGrain's or McNeil's boots.

 

Danny Mcgrain was recognised throughout the world by the various managers of international teams as the best r/b defender of his generation
he truly was WORLD CLASS .
HAIL HAIL

 

in my time, big bobo on his day was a machine, loved Varga Mjallby and Valgaeren aswell.

wish i had the chance to see Danny McGrain play, my dads favourite player.

 

Danny was our greatest defender but Elliot was an awesome centre half.

 

danny mcgrain or billy mcneill were prob the best celtic defenders of their generation, no doubt.

if you look at the last ten years .... stubbs, mjallby, reliable and consistent big defenders so they were.

Swinging away from the thread title abit ..regarding loan players or short term players at the club, that coulda made it big.. ramon vega always springs to mind. This guy was poping up geting us goals, ( as far i member he got 2 on his debut) and a tank at the back. Some signing by MON. Gutted he was lured by the pound signs of watford, and where is he now!? Hes a gd example that if u leave celtic , its downhill from there.

 

post-Stein/in the period I can rememeber I would say Reiper.

 

My mum says McNeil or McGrain but i didnt ever see them play so i couldnt go for them! Would probably say Bobo Balde was brilliant but i thought the best that i can think of would probably be Mjallby! Cracking player like!

 

agreed rieper-stubbs were a formidible back line best partnership i can recall in my lifetime

 

Danny was my favourite player as a boy growing up and TBH I don't think anyone has matched his position.

Others.McNeill,Hay, Mjallby and the big clumsy bulldozer Bobo lol.