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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Jacob Leeks & Lewis Moynihan

Former Celtic and Scotland star looks unrecognisable as fans stunned by new bearded look

A former Celtic and Scotland star now looks completely unrecognisable, with fans stunned by his new look. Brian McClair, 59, was compared to Santa and The Hairy Bikers over his huge beard, reports the Mirror.

The forward was on the books at the Bhoys back in the '80s and scored over 120 goals for the Parkhead side. During his time in the green and white Hoops between 1983-87, he won the league and the Scottish Cup.

As well playing for Celtic, the Lanarkshire-born footballer starred twice for local club Motherwell and spent a decade at Old Trafford, where he bagged 127 goals in 471 appearances.

McClair also made 30 appearances for the national side and notched two goals, one of which came in the 1992 European Championships in Sweden against CIS - the Commonwealth of Independent States, a post-Soviet Union transitional side.

Now, McClair has been spotted in a pub in Manchester, though he looks unrecognisable from his time at Parkhead. A photo emerged earlier this week of the 59-year-old sitting in The Gold Cup.

CELTIC versus RAPID VIENNA 8th November 1984 Brian McClair punches the air in delight after scoring goal REF: TCA 30962 CELTIC v RAPID VIENNA Brian McClair Celebration (SNS Group)

During his playing career, the forward had brown hair and was usually clean shaven. However, now he has long grey hair and a bushy white beard, leading to fans pointing out his resemblance to Father Christmas.

One person said: "Brian McClair became Santa Claus after retiring from football." Another added: "He deserves a pint after just coming through his busiest time of the year." A third agreed stating: "Reminding me of Tim Allen in the Santa Clause."

However, others felt the ex-pro looked more like other iconic bearded celebrities. One fan spotted a likeness to a certain celebrity cooking duo. They said: "I thought it was one of the hairy bikers."

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