Jackie Copland Player Profile
Player Details
- Full Name: John Cowden Copland
- Born: March 21st, 1947 (Paisley)
- Position: Centre Forward/Half Back
- Signed: December 17th, 1970 (£10,000)
- First Manager: Jerry Kerr
- Career Totals: 192 appearances, 22 goals
- Also Played For: St Mirren, Stranraer
Playing History
| Season | Division |  |
 |
G2G |  |
 |
Win % | Draw % | Loss % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-76 | Premier Division | 19 (1) | 2 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 30.0% | 20.0% | 50.0% |
| 1974-75 | Division One | 46 | 4 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | 47.8% | 23.9% | 28.3% |
| 1973-74 | Division One | 44 | 2 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | 47.7% | 18.2% | 34.1% |
| 1972-73 | Division One | 40 | 1 | 0.03 | 1 | 0 | 45.0% | 20.0% | 35.0% |
| 1971-72 | Division One | 28 (2) | 11 | 0.37 | 0 | 0 | 40.0% | 13.3% | 46.7% |
| 1970-71 | Division One | 10 (2) | 2 | 0.17 | 0 | 0 | 50.0% | 8.3% | 41.7% |
| Totals: | 187 (5) | 22 |
| Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals |
| Cln = Clean Sheets | CtGR = Clean Sheets to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in |
| Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals |
| Recent First Team Starts |
|---|
| May 4th, 1976 | 04/05/76 | League | Premier Division | vs. Rangers (A) | 0 - 0 |
| Apr 28th, 1976 | 28/04/76 | League | Premier Division | vs. Hibernian (H) | 2 - 0 |
| Apr 24th, 1976 | 24/04/76 | League | Premier Division | vs. Rangers (H) | 0 - 1 |
| Feb 14th, 1976 | 14/02/76 | Scottish Cup | 4th Round | vs. Hibernian (A) | 1 - 1 |
| Jan 31st, 1976 | 31/01/76 | League | Premier Division | vs. Celtic (A) | 1 - 2 |
| Recent First Team Goals |
|---|
| Jan 17th, 1976 | 17/01/76 | League | Premier Division | vs. Motherwell (H) | 1 - 4 |
| Sep 13th, 1975 | 13/09/75 | League | Premier Division | vs. Aberdeen (A) | 3 - 1 |
| Dec 21st, 1974 | 21/12/74 | League | Division One | vs. Kilmarnock (H) | 3 - 4 |
| Dec 7th, 1974 | 07/12/74 | League | Division One | vs. Clyde (H) | 3 - 3 |
| Nov 16th, 1974 | 16/11/74 | League | Division One | vs. Partick Th (A) | 5 - 0 |
| List of Goals Scored (click to expand) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| List of Games Played (click to expand) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Biography
Jackie started his career with home town club St Mirren, spending time out on loan at Junior side Beith before making his debut in March 1968 as the Paisley side marched towards the second division title. Released at the end of that season, he returned to Beith for a short spell, he signed for Stranraer in 1969.
After an impressive goal to game ratio in his one year at Stair Park, United manager Jim McLean brought the 23 year-old to Tannadice for a fee of around £10,000. Initially signed as a centre forward, he was in competition with Kenny Cameron and Alan Gordon, he found it hard to break into the team in the remainder of the 1970-71. He topped the goal scoring table at United in 1971-72, which included a hat-trick against Airdrieonians, but after the arrival of Pat Gardner he was converted to central defence and went on to form a formidable partnership with Doug Smith. Jackie was one of the players who turned out for United in their first Scottish Cup final appearance against Celtic in May 1974. Having been selected to play for the Scottish League against the English League in March, Jackie was named in the initial squad of forty players for the World Cup in 1974, but was not in the final selection to travel to West Germany. He played in all four of United’s European Cup Winners Cup ties that year, scoring against Juil Petrosani, and featured in the UEFA cup tie against Keflavik in 1975. He gradually slipped out of first team contention towards the end of the 1975-76 season, and in September 1976, he returned to St Mirren for £17,000.
Jackie spent seven years with the Buddies, continuing to play as a centre half, playing in a side that many considered a bogey team for United during that time. They won the Anglo Scottish Cup in 1980, and that same year he helped St Mirren qualify for Europe for the first time, captaining the side in their matches against Elfsborg and St Etienne. After being granted a testimonial year in 1983, he retired at the end of that season but continued working at Love Street for many years.
Debut
December 19th, 1970
Dundee United 2 - 1 St Mirren
League (Division One)
Timeline
-
Date of Birth
Jackie was born on this date in Paisley.
-
Signed For Dundee United
Jackie started his career with home town club St Mirren, spending time out on loan at Junior side Beith before making his debut in March 1968 as the Paisley side marched towards the second division title. Released at the end of that season, he returned to Beith for a short spell, he signed for Stranraer in 1969.
-
Debut - Dundee United 2 - 1 St Mirren
-
First Goal - Hibernian 0 - 1 Dundee United
This was a game that took a while to get going, but once the two sides found the path to goal, they created a whole host of chances. Both Hamish McAlpine and Roy Baines in the respective goals denied Hazel and McEwan and Alan Gordon before Graham and Blair each contrived to miss an open goal with the Tannadice rearguard openly vulnerable. If Hibs had had the better of the period immediately prior to the interval, it was United who pressed strongly on the resumption after the interval, but Hamish McAlpine was United's hero, making several fine saves. Four minutes from the end former United winger Johnny Graham did get the ball in the net, but was given offside and United took full advantage of this let off. Just three minutes remained when Jackie Copland took advantage of a mix-up in the Hibs defence to slip home what proved to be the winner.
-
50th Appearance - Hibernian 3 - 1 Dundee United
Hibs were dominant in the first half and there was no surprise when they took the lead. Alan Gordon scored in the 29th minute. The first half corner tally of 11-1 in Hibs favour told it's own story. There was great shock therefore when United fired home an equaliser five minutes before the break. Jim Henry latching onto a good pass to crash home the leveller.
-
50th League Appearance - East Fife 1 - 0 Dundee United
The first half in this game was little to write home. East Fife had most of the opening 45 minutes and they were defied by the agile McAlpine, poor shooting and bad luck. Twice United kicked clear on the line; twice the keeper charged out from goal to thwart the unchallenged Hegarty and Honeyman.
-
100th Appearance - Celtic 3 - 3 Dundee United
-
100th League Appearance - St Johnstone 2 - 0 Dundee United
After an impressive opening to the last season before reconstruction with a 5-0 home win over Motherwell, United disappointed on a rain-soaked Muirton surface. Saints didn't take long to emphasise their superiority, going ahead in eight minutes, through Muir. United did test Nicoll in the Saints' goal on several occasions and it came as something of a surprise when Muir put Saints two ahead. United had made most of the running but Saints deserved their interval lead, due to the opportunism of Muir. Although United tried desperately to get back into the game, Saints played coolly and, indeed. looked the likelier side to score. The United strike force, led by Andy Gray, just couldn't escape the tight grip of the Saints' defence, ably marshalled by lain MacDonald.
-
Last Goal - Dundee United 1 - 4 Motherwell
At that stage of the season, talk of relegation for the Tannadice men was doing the rounds in football circles, with Jim McLean's side having not won since the first day of November, 1975. And things got much worse when Motherwell inflicted what United's biggest Premier defeat to date.
-
Last Appearance - Rangers 0 - 0 Dundee United
Collectables (Stickers & Cards)
Magazine Articles
Sorry, there are no magazine articles available for this player.