Drew Busby (7 October 1947 – 31 March 2018) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a forward and attacking midfielder. He is noted for his spell with Celtic FC in the 1970s and for his contributions to several other clubs in the Scottish Football League.
Early life
James Andrew Busby was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He began playing football at a junior level before entering senior competition.
Club career
- Clydebank (1967–1970) – Busby made his senior debut with Clydebank, registering 13 league goals in 70 appearances.
- Hibernian (1970–1973) – He transferred to Hibernian, where he became a regular starter, scoring 33 league goals in 89 matches.
- Celtic (1973–1976) – Busby joined Celtic, contributing 33 goals in 99 league appearances and participating in European competitions.
- Partick Thistle (1976–1979) – He continued his career with Partick Thistle, adding 20 goals in 83 league games.
- St. Mirren (1979–1980) – A brief spell at St. Mirren saw him make 7 league appearances.
- Return to Clydebank (1980–1981) – Busby concluded his playing career with a second stint at Clydebank, scoring 7 goals in 30 league matches.
In total, Busby amassed over 380 league appearances and scored more than 130 league goals across his senior career.
International career
Busby did not earn a full senior cap for the Scotland national team, though he was selected for various representative squads at the junior level.
Post‑playing career
Following retirement, Busby remained involved in Scottish football, undertaking coaching duties and a brief managerial spell, including a tenure as manager of Queen of the South in the early 1990s.
Later life and death
Busby lived in the Glasgow area after his football career. He died on 31 March 2018, aged 70, after a period of ill health.
Legacy
Drew Busby is remembered for his versatility in attack, his consistent goal‑scoring record, and his contributions to several Scottish clubs during the 1970s, particularly his role in Celtic’s attacking line‑up.
