GLF 68: Gavin gives us an extended version of the thoughts of Tommy McLean on Phil O'Donnell.
Tommy on Phil
Tommy McLean was among those who paid tribute to Phil O'Donnell for the programme that accompanied the recent memorial night at the civic centre. Here is an extended version of what Tommy said about one of his favourite players:
The first thing that sticks out about Phillip O'Donnell was the character of the lad and his upbringing.There were things I looked into over and above the ability.He was a good listener and learner and I have not met anybody in the game who said a bad word about him.
His career speaks for itself but he was one of the most genuine people I have known.
Cammy Murray was in charge of S-forms and brought him to my attention. At that time Dundee under Archie Knox were coming into the Lanarkshire area and taking a few boys. I told Cammy if there was anyone he had his eyes on, he should get them signed straight away. Cammy went up to see his family to convince them Phillip would have a better opportunity at Motherwell.
So Cammy signed him as a 14-year-old but we saw him in training and Tam Forsyth and myself rated him.
When he came in he was a wee skelf of a boy but in football you have to have patience and perseverance. He had a very, very good left foot and a very good engine.He could see a pass and play a pass and once he got the strength he could make the runs he became famous for.
His debut was an education for him.He played left-back against St Mirren and their right-winger was Kenny McDowall.Kenny was an experienced player and he roughed him up. I think Phillip broke his nose in that game.
After the game I called him in to my office.Because Phillip was a nice, shy boy, sometimes you have got to say things you don't like saying but would benefit him.I said if he wants a career in the game make sure he doesn't get intimidated. It says a lot for him that he was never intimated again.
Once he got in we had to be careful and not go overboard but he was developing strength and at 18 years old he was good enough.
It was a case of bringing him out of his shell.He wanted to be a football player and every opportunity he would be at games learning and bettering himself.That's what a lot of young players don't do but Phillip, over and above, came from a lovely family, and that's not me being patronising.
I can't remember giving him a row other than that time I brought him in after his debut.He wasn't one who would step out of line.
We went to Ibrox in the league and he performed well - that was when I thought, he's not a kid any more.So I had no problem playing him in the cup final.I never had any doubt at any time.
And one player who took him under his wing was Davie Cooper, it's sad to say he is missing too.
When Davie Cooper came to the club we were a provincial club with good young players and good honest pros, but Davie brought that wee bit of belief with him.He told them we can go to Ibrox and Parkhead and get results.That rubbed off on Phil.And with Davie, nine times out of 10 if you made a run, Davie got the pass there.In the cup final Coop settled him down and helped him on the field.He was a brave boy as that goal showed.You go back to thinking of him on his debut and there he was. He got kicked, I think it was by Chris, but he threw his head in there.
At Motherwell he didn't have many injuries. In pre-season training, Tam Boyd, Phillip, Chris McCart and Griff were always up the front.They were the young ones that came through so that was pleasing.
In the later stages I had a good midfield, Paul Lambert who could pass the ball, Jamie Dolan who would win the ball and Phil who would make the runs and complement our attack.Three games from the end of that season in 1994 we could have actually won the league.We lost to Dundee United which handed Rangers the title.
I left after 10 years service, I felt I had achieved everything I could and wanted to leave on a high rather than be chased out.
Phillip only played about four games under Alex McLeish before moving to Celtic.
Over the course of the 10 years we had to sell players - it started with McAllister and Mauchlen, Andy Walker going to Celtic, then Fraser Wishart, Graeme Forbes to Walsall, Tom Boyd. Phillip was ready for a move.
I always looked on every one of these boys that came through as if they were my kids.I always called him Phillip, that's what he was called by his family.He was always one of my favourite players.
After I went to Hearts, Phillip and his wife Eileen came up to Ashgill, where I lived, and brought a present for my wee baby daughter.He didn't need to do that.
He did well at Celtic and there is no shadow of a doubt that Philip O'Donnell would have been an international player for a long time if he hadn't suffered all those injuries. That wasn't his fault, there was nothing he could have done about it.
After Sheffield Wednesday, it said a lot for him that he decided to go back top FirPark - it shows he enjoyed his time there, which was good to know.When he went back he developed into the captain of Motherwell which was a big thing for him at his first club.Your first club in football is a big thing.A lot of people refer to me as a Rangers man but they forget I was at Kilmarnock first and that was a big part of my career.
I spoke to Phillip at the start of the season at St Mirren and he was really optimistic.He said he was fit and playing a central midfield role slightly different from how he used to play.We were talking about the fact Motherwell had four out of their first five games at home and he felt if they had a good start they had a real chance of a good season.It was like Davie Cooper.I was fortunate at Motherwell - when you sign players at a late stage in their career some of them play out time.But Davie Cooper made a contribution, so did guys like George Burley, Tom McAdam, Bobby Russell.I got to know these guys as people and they made a contribution.
Speaking to Phillip that day, he still had a hunger to succeed............
Gavin McCafferty
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