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Patrick Joseph Bonner
(Co.
Donegal) Pat Bonner, known by many as 'Packie', was born in Clochgas County Donegal on the 24th of May 1960. Celtic spotted him while he kept goal for Leicester City in the FA Youth Cup and was signed by Jock Stein on May 14 1978, Stein's last signing. Made his Celtic debut on St.Patricks day 1979 in a 2-1 win. Bonner's skill even earned him the praise of Pope John Paul II. After becoming Eire's hero in the World Cup second round penalty shoot-out against Romania in 1990, the Pope told him: "I know you are the goalkeeper. I used to play in that position myself." Pat Bonner made 80 International appearances for the Republic of Ireland between 1981 and 1996 becoming Celtic's most capped player. He was a one-club player, winning every domestic honour during an illustrious career at Glasgow Celtic, the club he joined from Donegal amateur side Keadue Rovers. Bonner will most likely be remembered for two Irish international performances in particular; - his display against England in Stuttgart during the European championships in 1988, where he almost single-handedly defied Gary Lineker while helping the Republic of Ireland to a famous victory, and for his penalty save from Daniel Timofte in Palermo during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, helping the Republic of Ireland to a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Bonner has made around 500 League appearances for Celtic. With Celtic he has won four League Championship badges, three Scottish Cup winners' medals and a League Cup winners' medal.
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