A Glaswegian, Brian Heron was the type of winger who could electrify a crowd with a moment of brilliance, only to leave them scratching their heads moments later with an errant pass or an overhit cross.

PART ONE

Heron´s senior career started with Rangers, where he was handed his debut by Davie White on 11 October 1969 in a 3-1 defeat against Hibernian at Ibrox. Given the fierce competition for places at Rangers during that era, breaking into the first team was no easy feat. As a result, opportunities were scarce, and after amassing just nine first-team appearances, Heron found himself seeking regular football elsewhere.

Accordingly, a move materialised on 13 March 1970, when he joined Motherwell in a deal that saw goalkeeper Peter McCloy move in the opposite direction. Notably, Heron was not the only player making the journey to Fir Park, as he was accompanied by Bobby Watson, another former Ger. The switch proved to be a fruitful one, as Motherwell provided him with the perfect platform to showcase his attacking prowess.

At Fir Park, Heron quickly endeared himself to the Motherwell faithful, becoming a firm fan favourite due to his direct running, quick feet, and his thunderous left foot that could generate shots of incredible velocity. Moreover, Heron´s ability to deliver dangerous crosses ensured that he was a key supplier of scoring opportunities for the club’s forwards. However, as is often the case with wingers, inconsistency would rear its head from time to time, and despite his unquestionable talent, he could frustrate as often as he could thrill.

PART TWO

One match in particular stands out from his Motherwell days—an unforgettable encounter against Hearts at Fir Park in November 1971. On that day, Heron was at his scintillating best, netting a superb hat-trick in a thrilling 5-3 victory. The first of his three goals was a free kick struck with such ferocity that Hearts goalkeeper Jim Cruickshank barely had time to react before the net bulged. It was performances like these that showcased Heron at his most devastating, a player capable of turning a game on its head in an instant.

Despite his talent, Brian Heron’s time at Motherwell came to an end in 1973, as he moved on to Dumbarton in search of a fresh challenge. Though the Steelmen had been the club where he made his biggest impact, his journey was far from over. A venture south of the border followed, as he tried his luck in England, first with Oxford United and later with Scunthorpe United. While he may not have hit the same heights as he did in Scotland, his experiences in the English Football League added another layer to a well-travelled career.

Football is often cruel to wingers, as they are judged by their best moments and condemned for their worst. Heron was no different—capable of producing magic but often left to battle the expectation that comes with flair. Nevertheless, those who watched him at his peak will recall a player who, on his day, could terrorise full-backs, unleash powerful shots, and remind us all why the game needs wingers willing to take risks.