Darren Jackson talks about his career in Scottish football including Celtic, Newcastle United and internationally for Scotland.
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Darren Jackson Interview Highlights:
00:00 Intro to Darren Jackson
00:31 Brazil v Scotland 1998 World Cup
04:34 Meadowbank Thistle – Livingston
07:05 Signing for Newcastle United
10:54 Terry Christie, Willie McFaul, Jim McLean
15:54 Richard Gough Dundee United
18:59 Alex Miller Hibernian
22:32 Motherwell 4–3 Dundee United Scottish Cup Final 1991
25:45 Playing for Hibernian FC
28:45 Signing for Celtic FC
32:51 Paolo Di Canio Celtic
35:51 Treated for Hydrocephalus
44:30 Gordon Strachan and playing for Hearts FC
49:55 5 best footballers Jackson played with
51:55 Quickfire questions
Darren Jackson’s journey through the world of football began in 1985 at Meadowbank Thistle in Edinburgh, where he combined his budding football career with a full-time job as a printer for George Stewarts in Edinburgh. His remarkable talent on the field, evidenced by scoring twenty-two league goals, soon paved the way for a move to Newcastle United in October 1986 after an impressive start in Meadowbank’s 1986–87 league campaign.
Jackson’s debut for Newcastle was memorable, coming off the bench to replace Ian Stewart in a match against Arsenal, where his efforts won a penalty for his team, despite the game ending in a 2–1 defeat. Over two seasons with the Magpies, he netted seven goals, leaving his mark before returning to Scotland to join Dundee United in late 1988. His first season was marred by a broken ankle, undiagnosed initially, sidelining him for six months. Despite this setback, Jackson’s tenure at Tannadice was fruitful, yielding a Scottish Cup runners-up medal in 1990–91 and finishing as the club’s top scorer with 18 goals that season.
In 1992, Jackson moved to Hibernian, where he again experienced the sting of being a runner-up in the 1993–94 Scottish League Cup. His career took another significant turn in 1997 when he signed for Celtic under Wim Jansen. It was during this time that Jackson was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, requiring surgery. Remarkably, he returned to the pitch within three months, contributing to Celtic’s League and League Cup victories.
Despite his contributions, Jackson found opportunities limited in the following season, leading to a loan spell with Coventry City. At Celtic, he also scored the club’s first official UEFA Champions League goal in 1998. His career continued with a move to Hearts, his childhood club, where he faced contractual and managerial challenges, leading to loan spells and eventually signing with Livingston. Here, he won the First Division title but was not offered a permanent contract, leading to a short stint with St Johnstone and then Clydebank.
Internationally, Jackson earned 28 caps for Scotland, scoring four goals, and was part of the squads for UEFA Euro 96 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. His career post-retirement saw him becoming an SFA agent, representing prominent Scottish players, before moving into coaching, joining Dundee United’s coaching staff under Jackie McNamara. After leaving Dundee United, he faced personal challenges, including bankruptcy, before taking up a role as assistant manager at Raith Rovers and later as a first-team coach at St Mirren.
Darren Jackson’s football career, marked by its highs and lows, showcases the resilience and passion that define the beautiful game. From scoring goals on the pitch to facing life’s challenges off it, Jackson’s journey through football is a testament to his enduring love for the sport.
#celticfc #newcastleunited #scottishfootball
9 Comments
Brilliant interview as ever peter really enjoyed and this one for the straight talk shows darren is brilliant to listen to make sure you all like subsribe and share if you enjoy the football show!
Great interview Peter.
All the best Darren.
He was the A list celeb at Bubbles gym in livi back in the day 😂
Put off watching this today cos I was one of those fans that "hated" DJ wherever he played but this was a good interview and fair play to him. Played at the top level and is definitely under-rated.
The fact that Craig Brown took Darren to France in place of an in form McCoist has always beaten me! Even the great Craig Brown regretted the decision on record🤷🏻♂️Sorry Darren, but you also must have been shocked to take the place off the great man?
Fab interview – Dazza more likable than you'd think.
That was great. Darren’s a gentleman 😎
My dad was one of the people who worked for Ferranti LTD and organised fund raising for Ferranti Thistle who became Medobank Thistle who became Livingston…so happy such a decent person like Darren managed to have his dream playing against Brazil…My dads hard work for Ferranti thistle was well worth it…. P.S. My dad followed Celtic all his life.
Thanks Peter best one one so far.