[5] Rejecting offers from Clyde and Partick Thistle,[5] he first joined Celtic in March 1955, making his debut in a League Cup game against Airdrieonians and scoring his first goal for the club in a 6–1 win over East Fife in the same competition four days later.
[6] He was converted from a fullback into a winger,[7] but his headstrong character and poor discipline impeded his progress and after spending a season on loan to Dumbarton, he was sold to Birmingham City in 1961 for £15,000,[8] making his debut against Internazionale in the semi-final of the 1960–61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
[9] With the Midlands club he won a League Cup medal in 1963, as Birmingham beat city rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on aggregate.
[8] No longer considered a winger, Auld formed a midfield partnership with Bobby Murdoch.
Prior to that match, against Italian club Internazionale, Auld instigated a rendition of "The Celtic Song" in the tunnel, much to the bemusement of the Inter players.
Auld guided Hibs to promotion by winning the 1980–81 Scottish First Division, but was replaced by Pat Stanton in 1982.
In similar vein as his midfield partner Bobby Murdoch, Auld was capable of defence splitting passes.