There’s not a lot of things that bring a father and son together quite like football does. A shared love for the beautiful game can really strengthen a relationship, especially when other things like beliefs, morals, and age might cause some tension.
In the Dalglish family, this sentiment rings true. When both Celtic and Liverpool secured their respective league titles the weekend before last, it was a special moment for Sir Kenny, a legend at both clubs, and his son. “He got all emotional, which was kind of strange because he’s not usually like that,” shared Paul after accepting his Dad’s Special Merit Award at PFA Scotland’s annual dinner last Sunday.
“It was a pretty good weekend for us Dalglishes, I guess! We definitely celebrated. Well, let’s be honest, we were out drinking on Sunday and paid for it with some serious hangovers on Monday morning! My dad has had his successful career, and I’ve had my own share of wins. But that was the first time we got to celebrate a win for either Liverpool or Celtic together. Usually, one of us is working. So that Sunday game was really special.
“Seeing Liverpool win the league, that’s what you grow up with, isn’t it? Most kids get taken to their first game by their dad. Going to a match with your dad means everything. Witnessing your team win the league for the first time with your dad, yeah, that was something else. He was so emotional, which was so weird. Someone who doesn’t show much emotion getting that worked up over something he loves. He really loves the club, he really loves football. It was truly heartwarming to see how much it meant to him.”
Dalglish Jr.’s clear Liverpool roots shine through his words. Liverpool and Glasgow have a lot in common, including their love for the legendary King Kenny. The 74-year-old has never forgotten his Scottish roots, passing them down to his children, making his recognition from PFA Scotland even more meaningful. “This honor will mean the world to him. He always reminds us where we come from. Our upbringing was heavily influenced by Glasgow, so being honored by Scottish football will mean a lot to him. I spoke to my dad, and he really wanted to attend. He has never forgotten his roots.
“As kids, we were always taught where we were from. We may sound a bit different with our accents from down south, but the values we were raised with are all from Glasgow.
“It’s something our parents instilled in us from a young age. That self-deprecating humor, not taking things too seriously, helping others – all the things that are synonymous with Glasgow are what we grew up with. So for him to be recognized by the place that means so much to him is huge for us. His happiness means a lot to the whole family.”
When Dalglish Jr. sat down at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel, he didn’t expect to talk about Celtic as much as he did, especially not about Liam Scales. The Irish defender may not be a fan favorite in Glasgow, but Dalglish Jr. understands that – after all, he is Scales’ agent.
Scales, a low-maintenance player who just wants to play football, has become a consistent name on Celtic’s team sheet. Dalglish Jr. credits Brendan Rodgers for believing in Scales and giving him the chance to shine. “He just does what’s asked of him, doesn’t complain, doesn’t seek attention. He’s the perfect client.”
The future of Scottish football, particularly Celtic’s dominance, remains uncertain. The potential investment from 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh at Rangers could provide a much-needed challenge for Celtic. Dalglish Jr. believes that a strong rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is crucial for Scottish football’s success. “Scottish football lost its relevance when Rangers struggled. Most people watch Scottish football for the Old Firm game. So having strong Celtic and Rangers teams benefits everyone in Scottish football.”
