Donnie didn’t hesitate when Jags needed a goalie
Young players are often asked to try playing in a different position.
Some join a club as a striker, and end up having a successful career in defence.
But taking an outfield player and asking him to have the odd game as a goalkeeper doesn’t happen these days.
Donnie Mackinnon spent 13 seasons starring for Partick Thistle at centre-half.
He captained the club and was a real fans’ favourite. Indeed, a 10,000 crowd turned up for his testimonial against Manchester United.
He was regarded as a model professional, and that was evident before he broke into the first team.
In December, 1960, Donnie played for the Thistle reserves as goalkeeper.
It wasn’t the first time he’d been asked to take on that role.
Regular No. 2, Peter Curran had been injured and Donnie deputised in a 2-0 win over Airdrie.
He was back between the sticks for a game against Third Lanark, when he was preferred to Curran, and again kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory.
His performances were so impressive that an extended run in goal was being predicted.
Two trialist keepers were tried before Donnie was again listed as No. 1 at the start of 1961.
The arrival of goalie Jim Gray from junior side Arthurlie finally put an end to his time handling the ball.
Gray was then vying with John Freebairn for the first-team jersey.
Looking back at his outings as keeper, Donnie displays an attitude that’s rarely seen in the game these days. He said: “It was just a case of mucking in and trying to help the team out.
“I only went in goal for the first time because injury struck and we didn’t have any other goalies.
“I had played as a keeper at school a few times and did quite well. I had the height for it.
“It was as a centre-half that Thistle signed me from Rutherglen Glencairn, but I was happy to play anywhere to get a game.”
Just over a month after his last game in goals, Donnie made his first-team debut for Thistle as a centre-half against Dunfermline.
He said: “When I started, I was playing alongside Frank Donlevy and Alex Wright.
“At the end of the Sixties, we were relegated and Davie Mcparland brought in young players like Jimmy Bone, Bobby Lawrie, Alan Rough, Ronnie Glavin and Johnny Gibson.
“I was playing alongside John Hansen and Hugh Strachan as we won the old Second Division.
“I didn’t play in the 1971 League Cup Final win against Celtic, but I was delighted for the boys and the club.”
Donnie only scored one goal during his senior career – a winner against Hibs in 1968.
But his twin brother, Ronnie, again dominated the headlines that day.
He was sent off playing for Rangers against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Donnie said: “I think Rangers were interested in me as well, but I’d already agreed to join Thistle and wasn’t going to go back on my word.
“I didn’t mind playing against Ronnie. We were both centre- backs, so we were normally at the other end of the park, and only came together at the odd corner kick.”
Donnie stayed on at Partick Thistle as a physiotherapist when he hung up his boots, and also performed the role with Scotland.
He said: “It was good to stay involved and still be around players.
“I helped out the actress, Dee Hepburn, when she was preparing to star in Gregory’s Girl.
“She came up to Firhill a few times, and I made sure she was ready for scenes in the film where they were playing football.”
The Mackinnon twins turned 80 this year.