Football has long been a game where the gifted, the tireless, and the adaptable find their place in history, and Bobby Houston was certainly no exception. A player of versatility, energy, and no small amount of skill, Houston carved out a notable playing career with Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, and Greenock Morton.

PART ONE

A Glaswegian, Houston’s life in football began in earnest on the fields of St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Castlemilk. A natural talent, his ability to turn defenders inside out and his sheer determination to win the ball made him stand out from an early age. It wasn’t long before he took his first steps into the junior ranks with Rutherglen Glencairn, where he honed his craft, impressing with his work rate and technical ability.

Partick Thistle soon came calling in 1971, offering the young and promising winger the chance to make his mark in senior football. His debut for the reserves was merely a precursor to what would follow, as Houston forced his way into the first-team reckoning. The 1973-74 season saw him cement his place in the squad, featuring in an impressive 39 matches and proving himself as a reliable and creative force within the team.

Bobby Houston belonged to a rare breed of footballers—comfortable in multiple roles yet still capable of shining in a specialised capacity. Initially deployed in a variety of positions, his ability to slot in seamlessly wherever required was commendable, but it was as a flying winger that he truly came into his own.

When right-winger Johnny Gibson departed for Ayr United partly into the 1976-77 campaign, Houston stepped into his shoes and made the position his own. A direct, tricky flanker with a keen eye for a cross, he was a constant menace to opposition full-backs. His ability to beat his man and deliver telling balls into the penalty box made him one of Partick Thistle’s most important attacking outlets. Moreover, his defensive work rate ensured that he remained a valuable asset out of possession, tirelessly tracking back to help his side.

Despite his consistent performances, Houston never quite got the international recognition his ability merited. Twice called up to the Scotland Under-23 squad, he was ultimately left waiting on the bench, his opportunity to don the dark blue never arriving. However, he did have the honour of representing the Scottish League in a fixture against the Irish League in 1978—a testament to his reputation within the domestic game.

Perhaps it was his all-round versatility that worked against him at international level, with selectors often favouring specialists over those capable of excelling in multiple roles. Or perhaps it was simply a case of being unfortunate to play in an era stacked with entertaining and talented wingers. Whatever the reason might have been, his omission from the Scotland senior side remains one of football’s minor injustices.

If there was one moment that encapsulated both the highs and the crushing lows of Houston’s time at Thistle, it was the 1979 Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers. A hard-fought encounter ended in a goalless draw, forcing a replay that would ultimately prove heart-breaking for Houston and his teammates.

With the score locked at 0-0 in the closing stages of the original tie, Houston leapt highest to power a header goalward. The ball nestled in the net, Thistle fans erupted in celebration, and for a brief, glorious moment, it seemed as though history was being written. But then, cruelly, a raised flag cut the joy short—an offside decision that remains a sore point among Thistle supporters to this day. The replay saw Rangers edge a narrow 1-0 victory, ending Houston’s dream of leading his beloved club to a Scottish Cup final.

PART TWO

Change is an inevitable part of football, and by 1979, his time at Firhill was drawing to a close. In September that year, he bid farewell to The Jags and made the switch to Kilmarnock in a deal that saw Ian Jardine move in the opposite direction. A fresh start awaited at Rugby Park, but it would not come without challenges.

Just a couple of months after his departure, Bobby Houston lined up against his former teammates for the first time. It was a contest filled with mixed emotions, but in classic fashion, his old side emerged victorious with a trademark 1-0 win at Rugby Park on the 17th of November. To make matters worse for Houston, his introduction as a second-half substitute was met with a less-than-welcoming reception from his former colleagues—perhaps an indication that friendships are temporarily put aside once the referee´s whistle blows.

His time at Kilmarnock was a steady one, and while he may not have hit the same heights as he had with Thistle, he remained a valuable presence within the squad. However, football is a game that never stops moving, and before long, another chapter was calling. Greenock Morton became his final port of call, where he continued to apply his trade with the same professionalism and dedication that had defined his career.

By the time the 1984-85 season came to an end, so too did Bobby Houston’s playing days. A career that had begun with schoolboy promise and flourished at Partick Thistle had reached its conclusion.