John Craig, 52, dies on holiday

JOHN Craig, the former Aberdeen, Partick Thistle, Hearts and Morton midfielder, has died suddenly while on holiday. He was 52.

Glasgow-born Craig was a Celtic supporter and is thought to have suffered a heart attack while in Tenerife after watching Saturday's Old Firm match on television. Craig, who was the Scottish Young Player of the Year in 1973, was on the Spanish holiday island with a friend.

He made 18 competitive first-team appearances for Aberdeen between 1973 and 1975, having been a member of the club's league and cup-winning reserve team in season 1972-73. He was the younger brother of former Scotland international Tommy Craig, who played for Aberdeen before enjoying a successful career in the English top flight. John's son Michael also had a spell with Aberdeen in the 1990s.

John Craig left Pittodrie in 1974 seeking regular first-team football and found it at Partick Thistle. He was an ever-present in the side which won the First Division title in 1975-76 and helped them to a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division the following season.

His form with Partick caught the eye of Hearts, who signed him in September 1978 in a swap deal which saw Craig and team-mate Denis McQuade move to Tynecastle in exchange for Donald Park. The move didn't work out and Craig made just 15 league starts as Hearts were relegated.

He was freed and joined Morton, where he played out his league career before hanging up his boots after a spell in the Highland League with Keith.

An Aberdeen spokesman said: "We're extremely saddened to hear of John's death, especially given that he was so very young. He's someone we'll always remember from his playing days."

He is survived by his wife Frances, and children Michael and Laura.