Kenny Aird stands out as a player who blended technical ability with a sharp eye for goal. While he may not have reached the dizzy heights of global superstardom, he still left a lasting impression on the game.

PART ONE

Born in Glasgow on the 13th of April, 1947, Kenny Aird began his football days at the well-regarded Drumchapel Strollers, a club known for producing talented young players. It wasn’t long before his performances caught the eye of the biggest club in Scotland—Celtic. In an era when the legendary Jock Stein was assembling one of the most formidable teams in European football, competition for places at Parkhead was fierce. Moreover, with the emergence of the ‘Quality Street Kids’—a group of young players including Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay, Lou Macari, and Danny McGrain—opportunities for lesser-known youngsters were few and far between.

As a result, Aird found himself on the fringes at Celtic, unable to break into the first team. Recognizing that his chances of regular football were slim, he joined St Mirren in 1965. Unlike at Celtic, he was given the chance to showcase his abilities, and he soon established himself as a lively winger with a keen eye for goal. His pace, dribbling ability, and capacity to beat defenders made him a crucial part of their attacking play.

However, St Mirren at the time was a club struggling to make a significant impact in Scottish football. While Aird’s performances were earning him plaudits, the team’s overall success was limited. Consequently, when an ambitious St Johnstone side came calling, he saw it as the perfect next step in his career.

PART TWO

Aird’s arrival at St Johnstone in 1968 coincided with the club’s rise under manager Willie Ormond. Signed for a modest sum of £2,000, he quickly became one of Ormond’s most trusted players. Over the next five seasons, he would go on to make 228 appearances for the Perth club, scoring an impressive 45 goals.

During this period, St Johnstone punched above their weight, establishing themselves as a competitive force in Scottish football. In particular, the 1969-70 League Cup campaign saw The Saints reach the final, a remarkable achievement given the dominance of the Old Firm. Though Ormond´s men ultimately suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Celtic in the final at Hampden. Aird’s performances in that cup run solidified his reputation as a player capable of delivering on the big stage. More significantly, the early part of the 1970s saw St Johnstone qualify for European competition for the first time in their history and the 1971-72 UEFA Cup campaign remains one of the club’s proudest achievements, with Aird played a key role on the right wing.

Aird’s performances at St Johnstone inevitably attracted interest from bigger clubs, and in March 1973, he made the move to Heart of Midlothian for a then-substantial fee of £17,500. Given Hearts’ stature as one of Scotland’s traditional powerhouses, the move represented another important step in his career.

However, his stay at Tynecastle Park was a mixed bag. While he continued to exhibit the flair and creativity that had defined his time at Muirton Park, Hearts as a club were going through a transitional period. The early 1970s were a frustrating time for The Jambos, as they struggled to compete with the Old Firm and failed to win any domestic silverware. Despite this, Aird remained a consistent performer, featuring regularly and providing valuable contributions from the wings. His experience and versatility meant he was often deployed in different attacking roles, but his time there didn’t bring the same level of joy as his St Johnstone days.

As his stint with Hearts wound down, Aird sought a new challenge and moved to Canada, joining the Toronto Metros. During the 1970s, North American soccer was experiencing a boom, with established European players moving across the Atlantic to take part in a growing football revolution. While his stay in Canada was brief, it offered him a different footballing experience and a chance to test himself in a new environment. Nevertheless, the pull of Scottish football proved too strong, and he returned to his homeland for a final spell with Arbroath, where he made a solitary League appearance before finally hanging up his boots.