Hay was born in Tarbolton, Ayrshire and signed for Celtic for £50 from Ayr FC in March 1903.

[3] Described as a strong tackler,[3] Hay captained Celtic between 1906 and 1911 and made a total of 322 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals.

[4] He served as a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War.

[4] Hay left the club in January 1926, after he accused Ayr United director Tom Steen of trying to bribe a referee.

[4] Hay was banned indefinitely by the Scottish Football Association after he refused to apologise, but the suspension was lifted in November 1927.