After emerging as a teenager with Renton, he transferred to Sunderland in early 1890 alongside teammates Johnny Campbell and John Harvey.
He scored six goals in 17 games during a season in which the Reds were relegated to the Second Division, and three in 11 as they were promoted back to the top tier 1895–96.
By the time he left Liverpool in 1897 he had played 33 league and FA Cup games, scoring 12 goals.
After a short spell back in Scotland with Dundee,[6][7][8] he returned to England with Second Division Woolwich Arsenal, making his debut in the 3–2 loss at Walsall on 6 November 1897.
[11] Despite his success at club level with Sunderland, Hannah was never capped as an international – being Irish-born he was ineligible for Scotland under rules of the time, and Ireland were possibly unaware that he could play for them, assuming that he was simply one of the many 'Anglo-Scots' who were overlooked by the Scottish Football Association for selection until 1896.