[1] Born in Fife, Connelly was a technically accomplished footballer, who could play with distinction anywhere in the outfield, although his most common positions were left half and inside forward.

[3] The group of young players who emerged at Celtic at the same time as Connelly were known as the Quality Street Gang, and included Kenny Dalglish, Davie Hay, Lou Macari, Danny McGrain and Jimmy Quinn.

[3] In 1970, in a European Cup tie against the English champions Leeds United dubbed the football "Battle of Britain" by the media, Connelly scored for Celtic in the first minute of the first leg at Elland Road.

[citation needed] In nine years with Celtic Connelly made 254 first team appearances,[3] scored 13 goals and won two Scotland caps, in 1974.

[3] He returned to Celtic Park for the first time since his walk out to do the half-time draw during the AC Milan fixture in 2006 in the UEFA Champions League second round.