The Barca Mole in conversation with Celtic Legends - Joe McBride and Dixie Deans

TBM: Gentlemen, welcome to Dubai and the Dubliner's Pub, home of the Dubai Hoops CSC. Our thanks to you for agreeing to this interview and taking the time to answer a few questions. Joe, Dixie, what team(s) did you support as youngsters?

J McB: Celtic but actually used to go to see Rangers sometimes, because my father thought it was too far for me to travel to Celtic Park. Being brought up in Govan meant that Ibrox was only a five-minute walk away, so a neighbour used to take me there but that was only for about six games or so before arrangements were made to allow me to go and see the Celtic.

Dixie: I was a Linwood boy and St. Mirren was my team as a youngster.

TBM: What did you do before playing full time?

J McB: I served my apprenticeship as a scientific instrument maker with Buchanan Bros. in Commerce Street in Glasgow. In those days, most of the guys that I played alongside had jobs outside of football until or unless you signed for one of the big clubs.

Dixie: I was playing secondary juvenile football with St., Margaret's Boys Guild and then with Neilston Juniors at 18 yrs old, working as a labourer in an engineering factory before I went full time, so I appreciate what it means to play football for a living.

TBM: When you stopped playing, what did you do then?

J McB: Initially I was a hotelier, in fact was involved in five hotels and whilst it was a good business venture in the early days, latterly it started losing money so pulled out of that and went into the pub game like so many ex-players over the years.

Dixie: After finishing playing with Adelaide City in Australia, I returned to the UK and became a Publican; seemed the thing to do at the time, and enjoyed it for many years.

TBM: Best moment as a Celtic player?

J McB: Every time I pulled on the Hoops.

Dixie: The day I signed! Celtic had shown an interest in signing me about a year before and I thought that my chance had passed me by, so when it actually happened I savoured the moment. I signed on the Saturday night, travelled with the team to Malta to play Sliema Wanderers in a midweek European game. Even though I was ineligible to play, it was a great experience, because I was able to let it all sink in that I was a Celtic player.

TBM: Best Game played in for Celtic?

J McB: Against Dunfermline in the mid sixties at East End Park, we came from 4-2 down to win 5-4 and I scored with a last minute penalty to clinch the victory.

Dixie: Cup Final against Hibs, we beat them 6-1 at Hampden and I scored a hat trick.

TBM: Best goal scored for Celtic?

J McB: All of them, every time I scored for Celtic it was special.

Dixie: Second goal of the hat trick in the game just discussed.

TBM: Best players played alongside at Celtic?

J McB: Played alongside many great players but Jinky and Bobby (Murdoch) were just different class.

Dixie: Jinky and Kenny (Dalglish).

TBM: Favourites in present Celtic team?

J McB: Currently Neil Lennon and Stan Petrov but recently it has to be Henke.

Dixie: Chris Sutton, he is so versatile and Craig Bellamy even though he has only just arrived, the impact he has made is astonishing. Not so long back Di Canio and Jorge Cadette, a superb striker, real class acts.

TBM: It has been an absolute pleasure having you guys out in Dubai visiting our club. Do you get to attend many functions abroad?

J McB: Certainly, we travel far more than previously to places like Vegas and quite a few trips to Ireland but this has been one of the best trips of them all.

Dixie: Agree with Joe, we get to travel far more nowadays, and would like this opportunity to thank yourself, Martin, Paul, Franny, Stevie, Lawrie, Pat, Andy, Gibby and all of the people we have met over here for their hospitality and friendship.

TBM: Quite an informal chat Dixie, thanks, by the way you don't mind me calling you Dixie or do you prefer John or Mr. Deans…………..

Dixie: Let me take this opportunity to put people right on this one Mr. Mole…….

TBM: Please……Barca is fine……..

Dixie: As I said, I have heard the story about how I am meant to have said to someone "don't call me Dixie, my name is John"…….sure my given name is John but I am known to everyone as Dixie and I have never said to anyone "don't call me Dixie". There is absolutely no truth in this piece of mischief. I answer the phone as Dixie, I sign autographs as Dixie, and I am Dixie. Thanks Barca for giving me the opportunity to put the record straight.

TBM: No problem, happy to oblige.

Joe, Dixie, thank you for your time and company this week in Dubai, you have been great ambassadors for Celtic Football Club in your approachability and willingness to share your time with all and sundry. The Dubai Hoops CSC looks forward to seeing you both back out here again soon. By the way guys, congratulations… played one, won one……(reference to the 5-1 humping of the FOD veterans by the Dixie Deans/Joe McBride managed Celtic veterans) ……..Hail Hail.